Do we think that it’s a coincidence that many of Albuquerque’s best neighborhoods are also some of the city’s richest? Absolutely not. It takes money to keep a place moving like a well oiled machine; and the people who live in the neighborhoods that made both lists, know that they are living their best life. So, want to know where you can live your best life in The Duke City? Take a look below at HomeSnacks’s list of the best neighborhoods in Albuquerque for 2024.
Albuquerque has a lot to offer. It’s combination of Spanish Architecture and Old World style makes a pretty cool backdrop for some pretty cool neighborhoods. The biggest decision you’ll have to make if you choose Alburquerque to buy or rent is whether or not you want to live on the city’s North, South, East, or West side. This might require that you do some deep thinking because there are great neighborhoods in every direction from the city’s center. So, here are a couple of suggestions to get your wheels spinning.
One, if you want to live where families stroll the sidewalks on the way to their quaint neighborhood pocket park, the Heritage East neighborhood has great schools and safe parks. Two, if you want to live where there are other young professionals–where people might stay up a little later, the Bear Canyon neighborhood’s unemployment rate is way below the national average and the area itself has some pretty cool restaurants and watering holes. And, three, if you’re on a pretty strict budget, you should stick to the N Albuquerque Acres–homes in this hood only cost $222,950.
But, if you want to know the neighborhood that crushed our SnackAbility scale–Albuquerque’s best neighborhood–you’re going to have to keep reading.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table
In case you are wondering, HomeSnacks doesn’t get a kickback if you decide to buy your forever home in Albuquerque. We actually just enjoy making these lists to make life easier for people. So, do something nice for yourself today and browse our list of Albuquerque’s best of the best–you’ll be happy that you did.
So, what’s the best neighborhood in Albuquerque for 2024 based on the most recent census data and our SnackAbility algorithm? Well, that would be Heritage East.
If you want to know where the rest of Albuquerque’s neighborhoods ranked and a little bit about the ABQ’s top ten, take a look below; and if you don’t see your favorite there head to the bottom.
For more New Mexico reading, check out:
- Best Places To Live In New Mexico
- Cheapest Places To Live In New Mexico
- Most Dangerous Cities In New Mexico
The 10 Best Neighborhoods To Live In Albuquerque
Population: 2,699
Median Home Value: $339,400 (20th best)
Median Income: $115,938 (Seventh best)
More on Heritage East: Data | Real Estate
Population: 1,435
Median Home Value: $439,100 (Fourth best)
Median Income: $124,254 (Third best)
More on Peppertree-Royal Oak: Data | Real Estate
Population: 1,568
Median Home Value: $266,800 (46th best)
Median Income: $106,650 (11th best)
More on Stardust Skies Park: Data | Real Estate
Population: 997
Median Home Value: $436,900 (Fifth best)
Median Income: $89,803 (23rd best)
More on Vineyard Estates: Data | Real Estate
Population: 4,007
Median Home Value: $239,550 (72nd best)
Median Income: $94,923 (18th best)
More on Tierra Oeste: Data | Real Estate
Population: 824
Median Home Value: $425,000 (Sixth best)
Median Income: $130,909 (best)
More on Antelope Run: Data | Real Estate
Population: 1,287
Median Home Value: $425,000 (Sixth best)
Median Income: $120,157 (Sixth best)
More on Tanoan East: Data | Real Estate
Population: 865
Median Home Value: $257,900 (52nd best)
Median Income: $108,946 (Ninth best)
More on Prospectors Ridge: Data | Real Estate
Population: 1,031
Median Home Value: $227,700 (79th best)
Median Income: $86,731 (26th best)
More on Oso Grande: Data | Real Estate
Population: 2,081
Median Home Value: $394,800 (Tenth best)
Median Income: $107,928 (Tenth best)
More on Glenwood Hills: Data | Real Estate
Methodology: How We Determined The Best Albuquerque, NM Neighborhoods In 2024
To rank the best neighborhoods in Albuquerque, we had to determine what criteria define “best” and then apply Saturday Night Science to it.
Using FBI crime, Census, and extrapolated BLS data, we arrived at the following set of criteria:
- High incomes
- Low unemployment rates
- Low crime
- High home prices
- High population densities (A proxy for things to do)
We then ranked each neighborhood with scores from 1 to 196 in each category, where 1 was the best.
Next, we averaged the rankings for each neighborhood to create a best neighborhood index.
And finally, we crowned the neighborhood with the lowest best neighborhood index, the “Best City Neighborhood In Albuquerque.” We’re lookin’ at you, Heritage East.
Read on below to learn more about what it’s like to live in the best places Albuquerque, New Mexico has to offer. Or skip to the end to see the list of all the neighborhoods in the city, from best to worst.
We updated this article for 2024. This report is our tenth time ranking the best neighborhoods to live in Albuquerque.
Summary: Putting A Bow On Our Analysis Of The Best Neighborhoods In Albuquerque
If you’re measuring the neighborhoods in Albuquerque where crime is low and everyone wants to live, this is an accurate list.
The best neighborhoods in Albuquerque are Heritage East, Peppertree-Royal Oak, Stardust Skies Park, Vineyard Estates, Tierra Oeste, Antelope Run, Tanoan East, Prospectors Ridge, Oso Grande, and Glenwood Hills.
As mentioned earlier, the neighborhoods in Albuquerque aren’t all good. Albuquerque Meadows takes the title of the worst neighborhood to live in Albuquerque.
The worst neighborhoods in Albuquerque are Albuquerque Meadows, Mountain View, Alta Monte, Martineztown, and Encanto Village.
We ranked the neighborhoods from best to worst in the chart below.
For more New Mexico reading, check out:
Best Neighborhoods To Live In Albuquerque For 2024 Detailed Data
| Rank | Neighborhood | Population | Home Value | Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Heritage East | 2,699 | $339,400 | $115,938 |
| 2 | Peppertree-Royal Oak | 1,435 | $439,100 | $124,254 |
| 3 | Stardust Skies Park | 1,568 | $266,800 | $106,650 |
| 4 | Vineyard Estates | 997 | $436,900 | $89,803 |
| 5 | Tierra Oeste | 4,007 | $239,550 | $94,923 |
| 6 | Antelope Run | 824 | $425,000 | $130,909 |
| 7 | Tanoan East | 1,287 | $425,000 | $120,157 |
| 8 | Prospectors Ridge | 865 | $257,900 | $108,946 |
| 9 | Oso Grande | 1,031 | $227,700 | $86,731 |
| 10 | Glenwood Hills | 2,081 | $394,800 | $107,928 |
| 11 | Tuscany | 2,228 | $179,300 | $96,031 |
| 12 | Estates At Tanoan | 69 | $546,000 | $122,917 |
| 13 | N Albuquerque Acres | 1,051 | $387,567 | $120,726 |
| 14 | Matthew Meadows | 207 | $397,300 | $88,640 |
| 15 | S Y Jackson | 3,093 | $242,850 | $76,282 |
| 16 | Academy Hills Park | 2,533 | $314,950 | $78,300 |
| 17 | Paloma Del Sol | 190 | $322,500 | $125,938 |
| 18 | Alban Hills | 4,733 | $246,050 | $86,139 |
| 19 | Quintessance | 614 | $386,400 | $99,583 |
| 20 | John Robert | 1,535 | $250,800 | $89,922 |
| 21 | Eisenhower | 1,354 | $246,850 | $85,856 |
| 22 | Vista Del Norte | 4,602 | $221,300 | $76,877 |
| 23 | Paradise Hills | 32,807 | $272,579 | $72,200 |
| 24 | Mirabella | 2,047 | $199,200 | $63,952 |
| 25 | Sandia | 1,392 | $262,350 | $74,550 |
| 26 | Parkway | 4,136 | $205,800 | $74,912 |
| 27 | Glenwood Hills South Casa Grande | 1,146 | $394,800 | $84,297 |
| 28 | N Campus | 1,618 | $315,300 | $74,477 |
| 29 | Piedras Marcadas | 1,327 | $262,500 | $85,410 |
| 30 | Willow Wood | 1,272 | $199,200 | $66,560 |
| 31 | Summit Park | 2,619 | $293,267 | $90,020 |
| 32 | Se Heights | 3,067 | $305,320 | $77,616 |
| 33 | Onate | 1,291 | $249,900 | $84,031 |
| 34 | Eagle Ranch | 1,688 | $238,100 | $94,036 |
| 35 | Cielito Lindo | 1,378 | $262,200 | $78,333 |
| 36 | Nob Hill | 3,847 | $315,800 | $70,493 |
| 37 | Seven Bar North | 1,224 | $253,100 | $85,333 |
| 38 | Heritage Hills | 2,478 | $242,000 | $76,984 |
| 39 | Eldorado Heights | 2,725 | $239,400 | $60,416 |
| 40 | Las Lomitas | 463 | $218,300 | $86,790 |
| 41 | Nor Este | 5,975 | $367,200 | $104,643 |
| 42 | Holiday Park | 3,285 | $226,000 | $104,404 |
| 43 | Kachina Hills | 311 | $334,350 | $112,916 |
| 44 | Taylor Ranch | 19,388 | $225,400 | $73,098 |
| 45 | Thomas Village | 575 | $390,800 | $66,563 |
| 46 | North Wyoming | 5,077 | $228,225 | $75,630 |
| 47 | Rio Grande Blvd | 2,309 | $304,760 | $73,174 |
| 48 | South Guadalupe Trail | 318 | $274,300 | $68,812 |
| 49 | Academy Estates East | 1,078 | $377,500 | $44,855 |
| 50 | Cibola Addition | 1,327 | $283,050 | $106,237 |
| 51 | Netherwood Park | 1,063 | $312,550 | $61,132 |
| 52 | Embudo Canyon | 2,604 | $267,600 | $98,906 |
| 53 | Classic Uptown | 1,357 | $228,650 | $69,479 |
| 54 | Sr Marmon | 3,470 | $166,750 | $62,908 |
| 55 | Westgate Hts | 25,423 | $136,222 | $48,791 |
| 56 | La Luz | 106 | $325,800 | $76,319 |
| 57 | Stardust Skies North | 217 | $249,700 | $63,385 |
| 58 | Highland | 2,723 | $268,350 | $47,864 |
| 59 | Academy Ridge East | 747 | $246,850 | $77,511 |
| 60 | Altura | 2,016 | $419,600 | $54,900 |
| 61 | Ladera West | 3,694 | $178,400 | $54,961 |
| 62 | Ventana Ranch | 9,551 | $192,820 | $71,673 |
| 63 | Alvarado Grdns | 517 | $317,150 | $58,178 |
| 64 | Towne Park | 558 | $170,800 | $65,052 |
| 65 | Riverfronte | 412 | $850,000 | $58,692 |
| 66 | West Park | 351 | $347,400 | $85,455 |
| 67 | Desert Spring Flower | 2,318 | $127,300 | $36,675 |
| 68 | Coors Trail | 233 | $288,200 | $67,120 |
| 69 | Fair West | 2,232 | $152,700 | $47,880 |
| 70 | Laurelwood | 2,375 | $196,250 | $77,696 |
| 71 | Mossman | 408 | $224,800 | $59,306 |
| 72 | Candelmen | 1,636 | $157,400 | $43,125 |
| 73 | Sandia Ridge | 968 | $360,200 | $58,195 |
| 74 | Paradise Heights | 520 | $253,100 | $85,333 |
| 75 | Jeanne Bellamah East | 1,395 | $149,700 | $77,676 |
| 76 | Bear Canyon | 1,912 | $249,200 | $59,872 |
| 77 | Supper Rock | 2,853 | $284,100 | $74,596 |
| 78 | Big Bend | 85 | $221,700 | $60,750 |
| 79 | Cottonwood Heights | 1,406 | $231,800 | $55,365 |
| 80 | Eastrange-Piedra Vista | 330 | $241,400 | $70,208 |
| 81 | Keystone | 83 | $215,000 | $64,934 |
| 82 | Parkland Hills | 2,845 | $270,200 | $73,992 |
| 83 | Saragossa | 368 | $253,100 | $85,333 |
| 84 | Crestview Heights | 116 | $249,900 | $84,031 |
| 85 | Cherry Hills | 414 | $243,900 | $77,273 |
| 86 | Fair Heights | 1,097 | $161,400 | $56,250 |
| 87 | Victory Hills | 3,956 | $198,580 | $75,084 |
| 88 | Vista Grande | 376 | $293,200 | $56,576 |
| 89 | Spruce Park | 507 | $385,800 | $36,389 |
| 90 | Hodgin | 3,449 | $173,950 | $59,811 |
| 91 | Snow Heights | 2,415 | $180,800 | $64,934 |
| 92 | Jerry Cline Park | 1,286 | $244,850 | $39,036 |
| 93 | Sycamore | 1,446 | $175,000 | $25,160 |
| 94 | Los Alamos | 312 | $204,700 | $57,572 |
| 95 | Loma Del Rey | 2,473 | $232,750 | $73,613 |
| 96 | Osuna Park | 2,243 | $215,200 | $68,762 |
| 97 | La Luz De Sol | 740 | $227,200 | $78,049 |
| 98 | Quigley Park | 745 | $185,400 | $69,432 |
| 99 | Bosque Dell Acres | 267 | $287,800 | $36,676 |
| 100 | Skyview Acres | 260 | $287,800 | $36,676 |
| 101 | Tijeras Arroyo | 4,026 | $157,700 | $70,173 |
| 102 | Skies West | 4,500 | $162,850 | $71,918 |
| 103 | Alameda N Valley | 1,132 | $158,700 | $49,261 |
| 104 | San Gabriel | 940 | $259,500 | $72,583 |
| 105 | Stinson Tower | 593 | $159,550 | $62,210 |
| 106 | Valley Gardens | 1,002 | $138,900 | $47,629 |
| 107 | Huning Castle | 623 | $281,800 | $59,654 |
| 108 | Siesta Hills | 903 | $157,100 | $39,528 |
| 109 | Downtown | 3,345 | $196,800 | $36,005 |
| 110 | Westgate Vecinos | 2,615 | $132,333 | $46,548 |
| 111 | Sombra Del Monte | 1,010 | $209,550 | $63,632 |
| 112 | Academy Acres North | 5,159 | $226,517 | $63,260 |
| 113 | Inez | 1,092 | $199,150 | $50,619 |
| 114 | Boyds-Leslie Park | 547 | $278,600 | $61,115 |
| 115 | Richland Hills | 323 | $266,900 | $91,250 |
| 116 | Academy North | 189 | $243,900 | $77,273 |
| 117 | Painted Sky | 554 | $161,100 | $68,476 |
| 118 | Del Rey R | 549 | $95,200 | $52,833 |
| 119 | Story Rock | 261 | $227,200 | $78,049 |
| 120 | University Hts | 2,130 | $162,100 | $31,575 |
| 121 | Broadway Central | 803 | $177,100 | $31,260 |
| 122 | Alvarado Park | 1,118 | $207,000 | $41,912 |
| 123 | Los Volcanes | 4,132 | $180,200 | $37,500 |
| 124 | Route 66 West | 3,621 | $143,400 | $61,600 |
| 125 | North Eastern | 3,133 | $162,600 | $58,061 |
| 126 | Del Norte | 6,649 | $205,800 | $46,233 |
| 127 | Quaker Heights | 991 | $195,000 | $67,347 |
| 128 | Mckinley | 3,158 | $135,033 | $52,779 |
| 129 | Matheson Park | 1,386 | $181,200 | $44,958 |
| 130 | Montgomery Heights | 516 | $225,500 | $25,525 |
| 131 | Arroyo Del Oso North | 438 | $553,200 | $29,409 |
| 132 | South Los Altos | 3,620 | $116,800 | $51,158 |
| 133 | Uptown | 3,098 | $171,650 | $43,898 |
| 134 | West Old Town | 2,152 | $221,100 | $43,700 |
| 135 | Plaza Vieja | 281 | $224,000 | $45,417 |
| 136 | Conchas Park | 925 | $160,500 | $31,728 |
| 137 | Northeast Valley | 1,517 | $250,950 | $58,598 |
| 138 | Chelwood Vista | 1,985 | $162,400 | $37,731 |
| 139 | Pat Hurley | 1,620 | $153,400 | $39,695 |
| 140 | Vecinos Del Bosque | 620 | $126,000 | $37,546 |
| 141 | Montgomery Park | 1,258 | $194,850 | $45,460 |
| 142 | Quail Ridge | 128 | $145,800 | $53,500 |
| 143 | Vista Montecito | 107 | $214,400 | $66,696 |
| 144 | Princess Jeanne | 2,982 | $150,429 | $57,382 |
| 145 | Near N Valley | 6,365 | $201,514 | $54,722 |
| 146 | Jade Park | 746 | $95,200 | $41,900 |
| 147 | Alamosa | 4,205 | $126,167 | $32,277 |
| 148 | Avalon | 3,355 | $87,550 | $38,703 |
| 149 | San Antonio | 103 | $95,200 | $52,833 |
| 150 | Silver Hill | 1,573 | $175,000 | $28,529 |
| 151 | Mark Twain | 1,859 | $170,800 | $43,440 |
| 152 | Jackson Area | 984 | $168,300 | $68,108 |
| 153 | Winrock South | 228 | $182,300 | $33,352 |
| 154 | La Sala Grande | 386 | $264,400 | $29,208 |
| 155 | West Bluff | 1,798 | $164,200 | $47,431 |
| 156 | Highlands North | 400 | $200,050 | $51,942 |
| 157 | Indian Moon | 878 | $159,300 | $45,455 |
| 158 | Raynolds | 1,340 | $199,600 | $27,062 |
| 159 | Huning Highland Historic District | 918 | $167,900 | $32,736 |
| 160 | Elder Homestead | 1,514 | $157,100 | $39,528 |
| 161 | Greater Gardner | 244 | $96,900 | $16,796 |
| 162 | Academy Park | 113 | $224,900 | $51,827 |
| 163 | Trumbull Village | 8,560 | $109,550 | $23,914 |
| 164 | Sawmill | 1,261 | $213,800 | $43,698 |
| 165 | Bel-Air | 1,797 | $142,467 | $38,442 |
| 166 | Zuni | 708 | $186,500 | $43,350 |
| 167 | South Atrisco | 170 | $133,200 | $51,169 |
| 168 | Palomas Park | 343 | $132,500 | $32,766 |
| 169 | North Hills | 309 | $132,500 | $32,766 |
| 170 | Grande Hts | 194 | $161,000 | $48,382 |
| 171 | South Broadway | 3,439 | $118,467 | $31,396 |
| 172 | West Mesa | 5,519 | $134,820 | $36,466 |
| 173 | Los Jardines | 73 | $248,400 | $17,344 |
| 174 | Stronghurst | 71 | $146,900 | $52,802 |
| 175 | South San Pedro | 6,616 | $149,250 | $26,809 |
| 176 | San Jose | 2,469 | $105,600 | $36,271 |
| 177 | La Mesa | 6,415 | $148,260 | $27,187 |
| 178 | Singing Arrow | 3,317 | $157,700 | $32,660 |
| 179 | Santa Barbara | 2,066 | $163,575 | $37,930 |
| 180 | Clayton Heights-Lomas Del Cielo | 1,421 | $140,500 | $43,681 |
| 181 | Wells Park | 1,829 | $181,100 | $35,613 |
| 182 | Monkbridge Gardens | 1,070 | $171,600 | $41,827 |
| 183 | Skyview West | 1,211 | $133,400 | $32,724 |
| 184 | Vista Magnifica | 319 | $155,700 | $42,423 |
| 185 | Riverview Heights | 230 | $155,700 | $42,423 |
| 186 | Vista Sandia Hoa | 518 | $130,400 | $42,647 |
| 187 | Barelas | 3,338 | $202,640 | $42,865 |
| 188 | Villa De Paza | 111 | $120,800 | $49,972 |
| 189 | Wildflower | 744 | $96,100 | $40,949 |
| 190 | Kirtland Community | 106 | $152,300 | $53,846 |
| 191 | Yale Village | 35 | $152,300 | $53,846 |
| 192 | Encanto Village | 195 | $145,500 | $47,483 |
| 193 | Martineztown | 251 | $110,700 | $31,813 |
| 194 | Alta Monte | 1,814 | $9,999 | $35,551 |
| 195 | Mountain View | 2,151 | $125,967 | $36,114 |
| 196 | Albuquerque Meadows | 280 | $21,200 | $26,698 |