Albuquerque NM vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Albuquerque +
Waco
9.8%
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Albuquerque +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Albuquerque +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Waco
29.9%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 141,925 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 9.8% | Albuquerque + |
| White | 55.3% | 54.0% | Albuquerque + |
| Black | 3.3% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 2.0% | Albuquerque + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 29.9% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Albuquerque +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Albuquerque +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Albuquerque +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Albuquerque +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $51,468 | Albuquerque + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $28,819 | Albuquerque + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $63,758 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 24.0% | Albuquerque + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 28.6% | Albuquerque + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Albuquerque +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 48.9% | Albuquerque + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Waco
442
Waco +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Waco
2339
Waco +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 442 | Waco + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2339 | Waco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Albuquerque +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Albuquerque +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Albuquerque +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Albuquerque +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Albuquerque +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 36.8% | Albuquerque + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 13.0% | Albuquerque + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 20.4% | Albuquerque + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 20.4% | Albuquerque + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.2% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 15.1% | Albuquerque + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Albuquerque +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Albuquerque +
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 66.6°F | Albuquerque + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 36.4 in | Albuquerque + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Albuquerque +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Albuquerque + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Albuquerque leads in median household income at $65,604, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Waco is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Albuquerque. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, 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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