Albuquerque NM vs Tempe AZ — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albuquerque, NM
New Mexico · Population: 562,488
- Median HH Income$65,604
- Median Home Price$346,496
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+38.6%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Tempe
186,419
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Tempe
7.8%
Tempe +
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Tempe
23.1%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 186,419 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 13.9% | Tempe + |
| White | 55.3% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 3.3% | 7.8% | Tempe + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 23.1% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Tempe
$59,120
Tempe +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Albuquerque +
Tempe
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Albuquerque +
Tempe
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $59,120 | Tempe + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.7% | Albuquerque + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 16.2% | Albuquerque + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Albuquerque +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Albuquerque +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $468,328 | Albuquerque + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 41.6% | Albuquerque + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Tempe
450
Tempe +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Tempe
2150
Tempe +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 450 | Tempe + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2150 | Tempe + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Albuquerque +
Tempe
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Tempe
10.7%
Tempe +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 16.6% | Albuquerque + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 10.7% | Tempe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 18.3% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Albuquerque +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 71.3°F | Albuquerque + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 23.2 min | Tempe + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, while albuquerque offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $346,496. On public safety, Tempe is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Albuquerque. Albuquerque has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Albuquerque has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
Compare More Cities
Albuquerque, NM vs New York, NYAlbuquerque, NM vs Los Angeles, CAAlbuquerque, NM vs Chicago, ILAlbuquerque, NM vs Houston, TXAlbuquerque, NM vs Phoenix, AZAlbuquerque, NM vs Philadelphia, PA