Albuquerque NM vs West Palm Beach FL — 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%
West Palm Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 119,508
- Median HH Income$69,261
- Median Home Price$399,650
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+37.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
West Palm Beach
119,508
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Albuquerque +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Albuquerque +
West Palm Beach
44.0%
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
West Palm Beach
31.5%
West Palm Beach +
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Albuquerque +
West Palm Beach
2.5%
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
West Palm Beach
24.6%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 119,508 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 40.2 | Albuquerque + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 27.2% | West Palm Beach + |
| White | 55.3% | 44.0% | Albuquerque + |
| Black | 3.3% | 31.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 2.5% | Albuquerque + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 24.6% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
West Palm Beach
$69,261
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
West Palm Beach
$44,508
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
West Palm Beach
$65,328
West Palm Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Albuquerque +
West Palm Beach
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
West Palm Beach
14.8%
West Palm Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Albuquerque +
West Palm Beach
37.6%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $69,261 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $44,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $65,328 | West Palm Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.4% | Albuquerque + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 14.8% | West Palm Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 37.6% | Albuquerque + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Albuquerque +
West Palm Beach
$399,650
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Albuquerque +
West Palm Beach
50.2%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $399,650 | Albuquerque + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 50.2% | Albuquerque + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
West Palm Beach
324
West Palm Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
West Palm Beach
1453
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 324 | West Palm Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1453 | West Palm Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
West Palm Beach
29.1%
West Palm Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Albuquerque +
West Palm Beach
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Albuquerque +
West Palm Beach
16.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Albuquerque +
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Albuquerque +
West Palm Beach
13.0%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 29.1% | West Palm Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 13.7% | Albuquerque + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 16.4% | Albuquerque + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 16.9% | Albuquerque + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 13.3% | West Palm Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 13.0% | Albuquerque + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Albuquerque +
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Albuquerque +
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 75.4°F | Albuquerque + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 62.3 in | Albuquerque + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Albuquerque +
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 25.0 min | Albuquerque + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Palm Beach leads in median household income at $69,261, while albuquerque offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $346,496. On public safety, West Palm Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 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, West Palm Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
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