AreaScoop
Albuquerque, NM

Photo: Wikipedia

Albuquerque, NM

Find The Best Places To Live
in Albuquerque

PRO TIP! You can paste a Zillow or Redfin link.

Demographics

DiverseSimpson's Diversity Index: 62
Population562,488
Foreign Born5.2%
Population Density3,004people per mi²
Median Age38.7 yrs
Demographics Trajectory
StableSince 2010, this city has held a relatively stable population and racial composition.
Current Race / Ethnicity Breakdown
Population Trends

Quality of Life

Overall Quality Of Life
B
Good

Above-average quality of iife. The area offers a reasonable cost of living, decent mobility, and a mix of neighborhood amenities.

Quality of Life blends cost of living, nearby amenities, socioeconomic signals, and neighborhood character. City-level scores represent the whole municipality; individual neighborhoods can differ.

Cost of Living

94/100

6% below national average

A

The Real Cost of Living in Albuquerque, New Mexico

TierIndividualFamily (4)
Survival $33k$61k
Comfortable $76k$112k
Luxury $119k+$184k+
Elite (Top 5%) $142k+$220k+
Affordability Ratio

59%

The Hood Index™

A metric tracking the socioeconomic signals of the area.

B
Hood Index scan area
Premium Lean65%
RisksNeutralGrowth
Premium
40
Positive
40
Poor
32
Negative
40

Groceries

5 within 10 miles

3mi

Gas

0 within 10 miles

Hospital

3 within 20 miles

0.9mi

Airport

University of New Mexico Hospital Helipad

1.7mi

Post Office

USPS — Albuquerque, NM

3.4mi

Critical Amenities

Country Clubs

Nearest private club or country club.

No country clubs found nearby.

Golf10Nearest 1.8 mi
Camping20Nearest 3.7 mi
Marina0 
Winery0 
Ice Rink0Nearest 57.9 mi
Gun Range13Nearest 2.3 mi

Affluence Level

Overall Affluence Grade
C-
Average

A middle-class area roughly in line with national averages across income, home values, education, and employment.

Median HHI
$66k+6.7%
13% below US avg
Est. Avg Net Worth
$331k
50% below US avg
College Educated
38.7%
11% above US avg
WFH
12.8%
10% below US avg
Homeownership
61.5%
6% below US avg
Median Home
$267k
5% below US avg

Crime

Overall Crime Grade
F
High Risk

Significantly higher crime rates than 86% of comparable U.S. locations.

Crime Rate
49.8
Incidents per 1,000 residents
5yr Trend
−20.2%
Overall crime change since 2020

Violent Crime

5yr−29.4%
Homicide
0.13 / 1k Residents55% above state avg
Robbery
1.24 / 1k Residents148% above state avg
Aggravated Assault
8.22 / 1k Residents67% above state avg

Property Crime

5yr−10.9%
Burglary
6.60 / 1k Residents72% above state avg
Larceny-Theft
27.19 / 1k Residents85% above state avg
Motor Vehicle Theft
5.78 / 1k Residents86% above state avg
Source: FBI Crime Data · 2025

Political Climate

Cook PVI: D+7Leans Liberal

District shown is the primary district for this city’s centroid. Cities may span multiple districts.

Presidential Voting Trends for Albuquerque, New Mexico
Dem Rep
30%40%50%60%2000200420082012201620202024

Personal Sovereignty

Personal Sovereignty measures your capacity for self-reliance and independence with minimal government friction. Higher scores mean fewer barriers between you and the way you want to live... but it assumes you have the space you need and good neighbors.

Overall Sovereignty Grade
B
Self-Reliant

Viable for self-reliance. Generally workable, though some barriers may limit total independence.

State Policy

Tax Burden
C
Weak10.2% of income
Property Rights
D
WeakIJ Grade D
Firearm Rights
B-
GoodFPC Grade B-
Homeschooling
C+
WeakModerate regulation

Energy independence: Net exporter (250% of energy produced in-state)

Personal Liberty

Raw Milk
A+
Fully OpenRetail sales legal
Gambling Laws
B
Broadly OpenTribal · Poker · Sportsbetting
Marijuana Laws
A+
Fully LegalRecreational

Homesteading

Growing Season218 days275 frost-free
Annual Rainfall9.1"
Elevation4,970 ft

Strategic Assessment

Strategic Assessment grades tactical survivability using Joel Skousen's Strategic Relocation framework. Major population centers, blast zones, natural disasters, and border exposure all drive risk — lower exposure means a more defensible position in a crisis.

Learn more about Strategic Relocation ($)
Overall Strategic Grade
D-
Vulnerable

Multiple tactical vulnerabilities. Population density, target proximity, or disaster risk are likely compounding. A retreat property and exit planning is required.

Strategic Pillars

City Proximity
F
Poor0.0 mi to nearest major city
Pop. Density
D-
Poor3,004/sq mi
Fallout Danger
D+
Poor11 within ~30 mi
Natural Disaster
F
PoorInland Flooding
Border / Coast
A+
Greatborder 228 mi · coast 375 mi
FEMA Expected Loss$153.9M/yrfor the county

Key Distances

Nearest Major CityAlbuquerque565k people are 0.0 mi away
Nearest Major AirportNo hub airport within 50 mi
Distance to State Capital58 miSanta Fe, NM
Nearest Prison0.3 mi2 within 25 mi

* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area. Last updated: 2026-04-14T21:50:20.000Z

What your realtor won't tell you!

Find the best place to live

Go beyond the listing to get the inside scoop on any home in the US.

PRO TIP! You can paste a Zillow or Redfin link.