Rows tagged local are specific to Albuquerque (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from Albuquerque, NM. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
93.6
metro-area
#79 of 200 metros
Grocery index (US=100)
97.4
metro-area
#132 of 200 metros
Big Mac price (est.)
$5.33
metro-area
#79 of 200 metros
Median household income
$61,503
local
#2553 of 3,220 cities
Median wage (all occupations)
$38,235
local
#2298 of 3,220 cities
Who lives here
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median age
39.6 years
metro-area
#130 of 200 metros
Bachelor's degree or higher (25+)
35.0%
metro-area
#84 of 200 metros
Foreign-born residents
9.2%
metro-area
#83 of 200 metros
Homes that are owner-occupied
68.7%
metro-area
#60 of 200 metros
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
5.46%
local
#1993 of 3,220 cities
Population growth (5-yr)
+1.1%
local
#2144 of 3,220 cities
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$246,000
local
#977 of 3,220 cities
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
4.0×
local
#1713 of 3,220 cities
1-yr home appreciation
+1.0%
metro-area
#109 of 200 metros
Price per square foot
$133
local
#974 of 3,220 cities
Typical home size (implied)
1,850 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$1,014
local
#458 of 3,220 cities
Homes for sale (inventory)
2,589
Median days on market
11
metro-area
#57 of 200 metros
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
10.2%
state
#111 of 200 metros
Combined sales tax
7.78%
state
#113 of 200 metros
State income tax (top rate)
5.90%
Capital gains tax
5.90%
state
#138 of 200 metros
High earners
No special surtax
Social Security in retirement
Taxed — taxes Social Security benefits, but income thresholds and age rules exempt many retirees — check the state's own limits before assuming you would owe
Effective property tax rate
1.02%
local
#1721 of 3,220 cities
Median property tax paid
$2,508
local
#960 of 3,220 cities
Health & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Life expectancy at birth
75.3 years
metro-area
#142 of 200 metros
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$6,400
state
#32 of 200 metros
Uninsured (share of residents)
9.6%
metro-area
#118 of 200 metros
Primary care providers per 100k
91
metro-area
#32 of 200 metros
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$10,000
state
#58 of 200 metros
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$60
state
#19 of 200 metros
Vehicle property tax (annual)
None
state
#1 of 200 metros
Emissions testing
Required
Emissions detail
Required in major metro counties
DMV & license offices
23
Avg commute to work
22 min
local
#552 of 3,220 cities
Commute by driving alone
73.6%
metro-area
#78 of 200 metros
Solo drivers commuting 30+ min
32.4%
metro-area
#110 of 200 metros
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
15.2¢/kWh
state
#40 of 200 metros
Avg monthly electric bill
$136
state
#40 of 200 metros
Gasoline
$3.20/gal
state
#63 of 200 metros
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$50
state
#22 of 200 metros
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$58
state
#10 of 200 metros
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$74
state
#15 of 200 metros
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$1,900
state
#106 of 200 metros
Auto insurance (annual)
$1,600
state
#51 of 200 metros
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: wildfire — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk)
89.8 — Relatively Moderate
metro-area
#103 of 200 metros
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$550
state
#7 of 200 metros
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$100
state
#1 of 200 metros
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
61
metro-area
#188 of 200 metros
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
1,500
metro-area
#110 of 200 metros
Homes with air conditioning (state)
85%
state
#160 of 200 metros
Heating degree-days (heat load)
4,200
metro-area
#107 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 90°F
43
metro-area
#122 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 100°F
1
metro-area
#105 of 200 metros
Avg summer high (state)
92°F
metro-area
#163 of 200 metros
Avg winter low
25°F
metro-area
#123 of 200 metros
Annual precipitation
9.4"
metro-area
#9 of 200 metros
Annual snowfall
10.0"
metro-area
#110 of 200 metros
Sunshine (% of possible)
71%
metro-area
#24 of 200 metros
Plant hardiness zone
7a
Frost window
04-10 → 11-01
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
780
state
#199 of 200 metros
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
3,400
state
#199 of 200 metros
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
30
metro-area
#140 of 200 metros
Parks
43
Hiking areas
24
Golf courses
21
Shooting ranges
14
Lakes
18
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
3
state
#87 of 200 metros
Permit detail
Moderate
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.