Albuquerque NM vs Tucson 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Tucson
543,348
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Tucson
13.7%
Tucson +
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Tucson
5.0%
Tucson +
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Albuquerque +
Tucson
3.1%
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Tucson
42.7%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 543,348 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 34.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 13.7% | Tucson + |
| White | 55.3% | 58.2% | Tucson + |
| Black | 3.3% | 5.0% | Tucson + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 3.1% | Albuquerque + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 42.7% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Albuquerque +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Albuquerque +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Tucson
$59,120
Tucson +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Albuquerque +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Albuquerque +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Albuquerque +
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $54,546 | Albuquerque + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $31,152 | Albuquerque + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $59,120 | Tucson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 6.4% | Albuquerque + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 18.8% | Albuquerque + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 30.2% | Albuquerque + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Tucson
$324,946
Tucson +
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Albuquerque +
Tucson
51.7%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $324,946 | Tucson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 51.7% | Albuquerque + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Tucson
450
Tucson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Tucson
2150
Tucson +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 450 | Tucson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2150 | Tucson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Albuquerque +
Tucson
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Albuquerque +
Tucson
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Albuquerque +
Tucson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Albuquerque +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Tucson
14.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Albuquerque +
Tucson
12.5%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 33.5% | Albuquerque + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 11.5% | Albuquerque + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 18.3% | Albuquerque + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 15.7% | Albuquerque + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.6% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.5% | Albuquerque + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Albuquerque +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 69.8°F | Albuquerque + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Tucson, 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
Albuquerque +
Tucson
23.9 min
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 23.9 min | Albuquerque + |
Which City is Right for You?
Albuquerque leads in median household income at $65,604, while tucson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,946. On public safety, Tucson 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, Albuquerque scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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