Albuquerque, New Mexico
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Albuquerque.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Albuquerque?
For relocators asking how much Albuquerque costs: the housing index sits at 84 versus 100 nationally, with homes near $266,700 and rents near $1,085. Local median income is about $65,604 and unemployment recently ran 5.3% (U.S. 4.2%). Commutes average 23 minutes. Official citywide FBI crime rates are currently unavailable, so treat safety as a neighborhood-level check.
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 84U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $266,700U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $1,085U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $65,604U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 5.3%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 23 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- UnavailableFBI gap
- Summer high
- 90°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Albuquerque compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 560,326City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $65,604Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year16% below U.S. avgU.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 84ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year16% below U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $266,700City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year12% below U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $1,085City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year20% below U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 5.3%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026Near U.S. avg (4.2 pts)U.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 23 min8% below U.S. avgU.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 43Near U.S. avg (45)U.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- UnavailableFBI CDE gap
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 CDE monthly rates - Property crime rate
- UnavailableFBI CDE gap
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 CDE monthly rates - Summer high
- 90°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals3.0°F above U.S. avgU.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 28°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals6.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 8.8 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals73% below U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 309As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals15% above U.S. avgU.S. 268
Population trend
Albuquerque grew 2.5% from 546,755 in 2010 to 560,326 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Albuquerque expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Compared with the U.S. average, Albuquerque runs 16 points lower on MapsToIt's ACS housing index. Use that single number as a quick filter, then dig into home and rent cells for the budget you actually need.
- Housing cost index 84 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $266,700 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $1,085 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Albuquerque?
Budget first around $1,085/month rent or $266,700 purchase prices — both are MapsToIt ACS medians, not listing ask averages. National ACS medians are $1,348 rent and $303,400 home value for context.
- Median home value $266,700
- Median rent $1,085/month
- Median household income $65,604
What is the job market like in Albuquerque?
Labor-market context for Albuquerque: unemployment 5.3% and median income $65,604. Those are BLS LAUS (county) and ACS figures — industry mix still matters more than the headline rate alone.
- Unemployment 5.3% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $65,604
How long is the typical commute in Albuquerque?
Plan on roughly 23 minutes each way in Albuquerque. Walk Score estimates around 43 shape how car-dependent daily errands feel. Compare that with the 25-minute catalog average before you lock a neighborhood.
- 23 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 43/100
Is Albuquerque safer than similar U.S. cities?
Citywide FBI rates are marked unavailable here — do not infer safety from a placeholder index. Neighborhood due diligence is required.
- FBI citywide rates: data unavailable
What is the climate like year-round in Albuquerque?
Albuquerque's climate profile: 90°F summer peaks, 28°F winter mornings, 8.8" annual rainfall, and 309 sunny days — from the nearest NOAA normals station.
- Summer high 90°F
- Winter low 28°F
- 8.8 in rain · 309 sunny days
Relocators eyeing Albuquerque, New Mexico will find roughly 560,326 residents within city limits. Households here report a median income near $65,604; our housing-derived cost index is about 84 (among the more affordable large markets in this catalog on housing costs). Budget for median rents around $1,085 a month before you lock a neighborhood.
High-desert light, monsoon storms, and Hispanic cultural roots are unmistakable. Roughly 309 sunny days a year give outdoor routines unusual calendar reliability. Commutes average near 23 minutes one-way, with walkability near 43/100. BLS LAUS puts recent unemployment around 5.3% for the surrounding county. FBI Crime Data Explorer did not return usable agency rates here — verify recent local PD reports block by block.
Albuquerque sits in that mid-to-large city band where urban and quieter residential pockets often share one municipal boundary. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Albuquerque with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Albuquerque city, 1600000US3502000) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · Bernalillo County, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: data unavailable — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 CDE monthly rates
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00023050 ALBUQUERQUE INTL AP) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10