City profile · New Mexico · Census ACS 2023

Albuquerque, NM

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Albuquerque - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

562,488
Residents
$65,604
Median income
$266,700
Median home
$1,464
Median rent (state)

Albuquerque - the verdict

Nationally, Albuquerque sits in the 44th percentile for household income and the 2nd percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

44th
percentile, household income
59th
percentile, home value
57th
percentile, median rent
2nd
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Albuquerque, NM

562,488 people live in Albuquerque, New Mexico - a mid-sized U.S. city by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $65,604 per year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 11.8%. Home values in Albuquerque run a median of $266,700, and the median resident age is 38.7 years. 38.7% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 60.4% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 1,099 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Stable), up 0% from five years earlier. Albuquerque's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR figures show 5810.6 crimes per 100,000 residents, above the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score). NOAA puts Albuquerque's yearly average temperature at 57.9°F with 8.8 inches of precipitation per year and 7.9 inches of snowfall.

Living costs in New Mexico run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, New Mexico scores 92.2 (Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,464 monthly. Monthly utility costs average around $167 across New Mexico, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Workers in Albuquerque report an average commute of 19.4 minutes, with 73.2% driving alone and 12.8% working from home. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 94.4 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

562,488 residents

Census ACS 2023 - New Mexico

Median Household Income

$65,604 /yr

Poverty 11.8%

Cost of Living Index (state)

92.2 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, New Mexico average

How does Albuquerque compare to other US cities?

Where Albuquerque sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 44% higher than other cities
Home value 59% pricier than other cities
Median rent 57% pricier than other cities
Safety 2% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at New Mexico, Albuquerque ranks #40 of 42 New Mexico cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Albuquerque's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in New Mexico, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

44thIncome percentile
2ndSafety percentile

44th percentile nationally for median household income · 2nd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Albuquerque's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Albuquerque's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 29 Avg. percentile National median
Albuquerque's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Albuquerque's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$266,700 41st percentile more affordable than 41% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). This entry sits in this band. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Albuquerque $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Albuquerque, NM Albuquerque, NM's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Albuquerque, NM-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Albuquerque, NM median $65,604/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Albuquerque, NM's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Albuquerque, NM. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 38.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 11.8%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 60.4%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
562,488
Median Income
$65,604
Median Home Value
$266,700
Median Age
38.7
Poverty Rate
11.8%
Labor force participation
60.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
38.7%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
5810.6
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
1181.8
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
4628.8
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
57.9°F
Annual Precipitation
8.8"
Annual Snowfall
7.9"

Schools

Total Schools
195
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
555,000 residents560,000 residents565,000 residents570,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 564,752 residents 556,588 residents ▼ -1.4%
Albuquerque's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

🏗️ Stable
Total Permits (2024)
1,099
housing units authorized
Single-Family
525
detached homes
Multifamily
574
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
2
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 1,094
2020 865
2021 1,667
2022 1,609
2023 1,099
2024 1,099

Permit volume increased 0% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
19.4 minutes
Drive Alone
73.2%
Carpool
8.8%
Public Transit
1.3%
Walk
1.9%
Work from Home
12.8%
Other
2.0%

Based on 276,033 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for New Mexico - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$85
avg/month
Natural Gas
$40
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$42
avg/month
Total Utilities
$167
estimated/month

Estimates reflect New Mexico state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a New Mexico state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Albuquerque sits in

Cost of Living Index
92.2
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,464/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
94.4 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in New Mexico

Las Cruces
112,612 people
Rio Rancho
106,533 people
Santa Fe
88,224 people
Roswell
47,823 people
Farmington
46,339 people
Hobbs
39,887 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Albuquerque's 562,488 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Milwaukee, WI
569,756 people
Baltimore, MD
577,193 people
Fresno, CA
543,615 people
Tucson, AZ
543,348 people
Sacramento, CA
524,802 people
Kansas City, MO
508,233 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Albuquerque's $65,604 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Pleasanton, TX
$65,602 median income
Williamsburg, IA
$65,607 median income
Alliance, NE
$65,599 median income
Garrett, IN
$65,611 median income
Coosada, AL
$65,614 median income
Benson, NC
$65,614 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Albuquerque, NM Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Albuquerque, NM - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 55.3% 11.1% 21.9% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 47.9% White 55.3% Black or African American 3.3% Asian 3.3% American Indian 5.0% Native Hawaiian 0.1% Some other race 11.1% Two or more races 21.9% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Albuquerque compares to nearby New Mexico cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Albuquerque (this city) 562,488 $65,604
Las Cruces 112,612 $55,176
Rio Rancho 106,533 $85,755
Santa Fe 88,224 $70,110
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NM FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Albuquerque, NM?

What is the population of Albuquerque, NM? +

Albuquerque, NM has a population of 562,488 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Albuquerque, NM? +

The median household income in Albuquerque is $65,604 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Albuquerque? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Albuquerque; the closest available measure is the New Mexico state average, a cost of living index of 92.2 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within New Mexico vary by metro area.

Is Albuquerque, NM safe? +

Albuquerque has a total crime rate of 5810.6 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Albuquerque, NM? +

The median home value in Albuquerque is $266,700, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Albuquerque? +

The average annual temperature in Albuquerque runs 57.9°F, 8.8 inches of precipitation, and 7.9 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

Verify with HUD →

Verify with FBI →

Verify with NOAA →

Verify with U.S. Census Bureau →

Verify with EPA →

Verify with FEMA →

Verify with BEA →

Verify with EIA →

Verify with NCES →

Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.