Albuquerque, NM vs Phoenix, AZ
Side-by-side comparison · Updated Jun 2026
Report card
| Category | AlbuquerqueAlbuquerque, NM | PhoenixPhoenix, AZ | Same grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| ReloScoreOverall grade | |||
| Affluence | Average | Average | |
| Cost of Living | |||
| Crime | High Risk | Elevated | |
| Education | |||
| Quality of Life | Good | Great | |
| Sovereignty | Self-Reliant | Self-Reliant | Same |
| Strategic | Vulnerable | Vulnerable | Same |
Grades rate each place against all US places. How grades work →
Comparison summary
At 2.3 people per household, Albuquerque, NM and Phoenix, AZ differ notably in household size, with Phoenix averaging 2.7, a 16% larger figure. 2023 Census figures show Phoenix’s cost of living index at 129, 37% higher than Albuquerque’s 94, placing Albuquerque in the 44th percentile and Phoenix in the 67th. Median rent in Phoenix is $1,458, 34% higher than Albuquerque’s $1,085, while median home values follow a similar pattern at $381,900 versus $266,700, a 43% difference.
Job growth over the past year was 2.1% in Phoenix, 1.1 points higher than Albuquerque’s 1.0%, with Phoenix in the 78th percentile for this metric. The average commute in Phoenix is 25.7 minutes, 3 minutes longer than Albuquerque’s 22.2 minutes. Healthcare access scores show Albuquerque at 100 out of 100, 17 points higher than Phoenix’s 83, placing Albuquerque in the 90th percentile and Phoenix in the 47th. Median age in Albuquerque is 38.7 years, 3.9 years older than Phoenix’s 34.8, with Albuquerque in the 55th percentile and Phoenix in the 24th.
Violent crime per 100,000 people is 1,013 in Albuquerque, 46% higher than Phoenix’s 694, with both in high percentiles at 98 and 93 respectively. Property crime is also higher in Albuquerque at 3,969 versus 2,036, a 95% difference. Air quality index values are 61 for Albuquerque and 77 for Phoenix, the latter 26% higher, with both in the 96th and 98th percentiles.
AI-generated and may contain mistakes. Verify any details that matter before acting on them. Generated Oct 2026.
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Where they differ most
Cost of living
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Phoenix, AZ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| COL indexCost of living index (100 = US) | 9444th pctl | 12967th pctl | Cost of living index (100 = US): Albuquerque, NM 94; Phoenix, AZ 129; Phoenix is 37% higher. |
| Home valueMedian home value | $266,70047th pctl | $381,90069th pctl | Median home value: Albuquerque, NM $266,700; Phoenix, AZ $381,900; Phoenix is 43% higher. |
| Median rent | $1,08540th pctl | $1,45868th pctl | Median rent: Albuquerque, NM $1,085; Phoenix, AZ $1,458; Phoenix is 34% higher. |
| Household incomeMedian household income | $65,60439th pctl | $77,04155th pctl | Median household income: Albuquerque, NM $65,604; Phoenix, AZ $77,041; Phoenix is 17% higher. |
| Comfortable (single)Comfortable income (single) | $76,16872nd pctl | $74,19770th pctl | About the same |
| Comfortable (family)Comfortable income (family of 4) | $111,96772nd pctl | $109,06970th pctl | About the same |
| AffordabilityHousing affordability | Affordable | Stretched | About the same |
Housing-adjusted salary
the same housing budget in Phoenix needs about
$102,900
Based only on local housing costs and incomes (cost-of-living index 94 vs 129). Leaves out taxes, groceries and transport. How it works →
Data: U.S. Census ACS 5-year, ReloMaps cost-of-living index (2023–2024).
Jobs & income
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Phoenix, AZ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment | 3.7%52nd pctl | 3.2%29th pctl | About the same |
| Job growthJob growth (YoY) | +1.0%46th pctl | +2.1%78th pctl | Job growth (YoY): Albuquerque, NM +1.0%; Phoenix, AZ +2.1%; Phoenix is 1.1 points higher. |
| Per-capita income | $39,11753rd pctl | $40,30958th pctl | About the same |
| Poverty rate | 16.0%70th pctl | 14.3%63rd pctl | Poverty rate: Albuquerque, NM 16.0%; Phoenix, AZ 14.3%; Albuquerque is 1.7 points higher. |
| CommuteAverage commute | 22.2 min42nd pctl | 25.7 min65th pctl | Average commute: Albuquerque, NM 22.2 min; Phoenix, AZ 25.7 min; Phoenix is 3 minutes longer. |
| Work from home | 12.8%61st pctl | 16.9%76th pctl | Work from home: Albuquerque, NM 12.8%; Phoenix, AZ 16.9%; Phoenix is 4.1 points higher. |
| OpportunityEconomic opportunity | Stable | Stable | About the same |
| Job market | Strong | Strong | Job market: Albuquerque, NM B+; Phoenix, AZ A+; Phoenix is graded higher. |
Data: U.S. Census ACS 5-year, BLS (2023).
Safety
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Phoenix, AZ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent crimeViolent crime per 100k | 1,01398th pctl | 69493rd pctl | Violent crime per 100k: Albuquerque, NM 1,013; Phoenix, AZ 694; Albuquerque is 46% higher. |
| Property crimeProperty crime per 100k | 3,96997th pctl | 2,03678th pctl | Property crime per 100k: Albuquerque, NM 3,969; Phoenix, AZ 2,036; Albuquerque is 95% higher. |
| 5-yr trendViolent crime, 5-yr trend | Falling | Rising | |
| Crime & safety | Dangerous | Dangerous | Crime & safety: Albuquerque, NM F; Phoenix, AZ D; Phoenix is graded higher. |
| Traffic safety | SafeCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | SafeCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | About the same |
Data: FBI Crime Data, NHTSA FARS (2025).
Quality of life
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Phoenix, AZ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air quality | ModerateCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | ModerateCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | About the same |
| ClimateClimate comfort | Dry | Dry | About the same |
| HealthcareHealthcare access | ExcellentCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | ExcellentCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | Healthcare access: Albuquerque, NM A+; Phoenix, AZ A; Albuquerque is graded higher. |
| Tap water | Poor | Fair | Tap water: Albuquerque, NM F; Phoenix, AZ C+; Phoenix is graded higher. |
| Power grid | ReliableState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | ReliableState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | Power grid: Albuquerque, NM A-; Phoenix, AZ A+; Phoenix is graded higher. |
| HomesteadingHomesteading potential | Workable | Prime | Homesteading potential: Albuquerque, NM B; Phoenix, AZ A-; Phoenix is graded higher. |
| Disaster riskNational disaster risk | High-Risk | High-Risk | About the same |
3 rows not shown: broadband, walkability and local food access aren't available for either place.
Data: EPA AirData, NOAA NCEI, County Health Rankings, FCC, Geoapify POIs, EPA SDWIS, EIA, OpenStreetMap, FEMA National Risk Index (2022–2024).
Taxes & laws
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Phoenix, AZ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxes | ModerateState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | ModerateState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | About the same |
| HomeschoolHomeschool rules | moderateState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | lowState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | |
| FirearmsFirearm laws grade | B-State figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | AState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | |
| Property rightsProperty rights (eminent domain) | A-State figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | B+State figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | |
| EnergyEnergy production | Net exporterState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | ImporterState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. |
Data: Tax Foundation, state statutes.
Strategic location
How exposed each place is to large-scale disruption, based on distance from big cities, likely targets and natural hazards.
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Phoenix, AZ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Large cityNearest large city | 2 mi2nd pctl | 9 mi9th pctl | Nearest large city: Albuquerque, NM 2 mi; Phoenix, AZ 9 mi; Phoenix is 5.7 times higher. |
| Target proximity | Weak | Weak | Target proximity: Albuquerque, NM C-; Phoenix, AZ C+; Phoenix is graded higher. |
| To borderDistance to international border | 230 mi27th pctl | 113 mi12th pctl | Distance to international border: Albuquerque, NM 230 mi; Phoenix, AZ 113 mi; Albuquerque is 2.0 times higher. |
| To coastDistance to coastline | 376 mi60th pctl | 163 mi38th pctl | Distance to coastline: Albuquerque, NM 376 mi; Phoenix, AZ 163 mi; Albuquerque is 2.3 times higher. |
| StrategicStrategic location | Vulnerable | Vulnerable | About the same |
Data: ReloMaps strategic assessment.
People
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Phoenix, AZ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,48899th pctl | 1,624,832100th pctl | Population: Albuquerque, NM 562,488; Phoenix, AZ 1,624,832; Phoenix is 2.9 times larger. |
| DensityPopulation density (per sq mi) | 3,00478th pctl | 3,13479th pctl | About the same |
| Median age | 38.755th pctl | 34.824th pctl | Median age: Albuquerque, NM 38.7; Phoenix, AZ 34.8; Albuquerque is 3.9 years older. |
| Bachelor's+Bachelor's degree or higher | 38.7%64th pctl | 32.3%50th pctl | Bachelor's degree or higher: Albuquerque, NM 38.7%; Phoenix, AZ 32.3%; Albuquerque is 6.4 points higher. |
| Household sizeAverage household size | 2.329th pctl | 2.773rd pctl | Average household size: Albuquerque, NM 2.3; Phoenix, AZ 2.7; Phoenix is 16% larger. |
More about Albuquerque's residents · Phoenix's residents
Data: U.S. Census ACS 5-year (2023).
Politics
Information only. Not part of any grade, difference or summary on this page.
| Measure | AlbuquerqueAlbuquerque, NM | PhoenixPhoenix, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| Cook PVI | D+7 | R+1 |
| 2024 presidential | D +13.0 pts | R +3.1 pts |
Full politics data: Albuquerque · Phoenix
Moving between Albuquerque and Phoenix
- Median rent: $1,085 in Albuquerque, $1,458 in Phoenix
- Median home value: $266,700 in Albuquerque, $381,900 in Phoenix
- Cost of living index (100 = US): 94 in Albuquerque, 129 in Phoenix
- Median household income: $65,604 in Albuquerque, $77,041 in Phoenix
- Comfortable income (family of 4): $111,967 in Albuquerque, $109,069 in Phoenix
- Unemployment: 3.7% in Albuquerque, 3.2% in Phoenix
- Average commute: 22.2 min in Albuquerque, 25.7 min in Phoenix
- Violent crime per 100k: 1,013 in Albuquerque, 694 in Phoenix
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- Data: Cost of living: U.S. Census ACS 5-year, ReloMaps cost-of-living index (2023–2024).
- Data: Jobs & income: U.S. Census ACS 5-year, BLS (2023).
- Data: Safety: FBI Crime Data, NHTSA FARS (2025).
- Data: Quality of life: EPA AirData, NOAA NCEI, County Health Rankings, FCC, Geoapify POIs, EPA SDWIS, EIA, OpenStreetMap, FEMA National Risk Index (2022–2024).
- Data: Taxes & laws: Tax Foundation, state statutes.
- Data: Strategic location: ReloMaps strategic assessment.
- Data: People: U.S. Census ACS 5-year (2023).
* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area.
Narrative content on this page is AI-generated and may contain mistakes. Verify any details that matter before acting on them.
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