THE 10 WORST Neighborhoods In Albuquerque For 2020


We used data and science to identify the neighborhoods in Albuquerque that are the real pits.

Sam Sparkes, RoadSnacks
January 12, 2020 - 23,831 views
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Editor’s Note: This article is an opinion based on facts and is meant as infotainment. Don’t freak out we updated this article for 2020. This is our fifth time ranking the worst neighborhoods to live in Albuquerque.
Worst Neighborhoods In Albuquerque
Source: Wikipedia User John Phelan | CC BY 3.0

Albuquerque’s neighborhoods conjure up too many stereotypes to count. You’ve got hipster areas, preppy places, neighborhoods where college kids thrive, and of course, ghettos.

It seems as if there’s a neighborhood for everyone in Albuquerque.

And while the city consistently ranks as one of the best places to live in the country thanks in part to a strong economy and tons of entertainment, it’s not all rainbows and sunshine in Albuquerque. Some neighborhoods aren’t as great as others.

So the question arises, which Albuquerque neighborhoods are the worst, and which are the best?

Today, we’ll use science and data to determine which Albuquerque hoods need a little tender loving care – the sore thumbs of the Albuquerque area if you will. Realistically, you can’t expect all the neighborhoods to be amazing, although Peppertree-Royal Oak ranks way above the rest.

We examined 210 of Albuquerque’s neighborhoods to find out the worst places to live. These places don’t quite measure up to Albuquerque’s reputation.

So what’s the worst neighborhood to live in Albuquerque for 2020? According to the most recent census data, Yale Village looks to be the worst neighborhood in Albuquerque.

Read on to see how we determined the places around Albuquerque that need a pick-me-up. And remember, don’t blame the messenger.

Once you’re done, you can look at the bottom of the story for a complete chart of every neighborhood we looked at from worst to best.

For more New Mexico reading, check out:

The 10 Worst Neighborhoods In Albuquerque For 2020

1. Yale Village

Overall SnackAbility

2
/10

Population: 79
Rank Last Year: 1 (No Change)
Median Home Value: $85,900 (8th worst)
Median Income: $23,727 (10th worst)
More on Yale Village:  Data

2. Mountain View

Overall SnackAbility

3
/10

Population: 2,151
Rank Last Year: 9 (Up 7)
Median Home Value: $125,967 (31st worst)
Median Income: $36,114 (40th worst)
More on Mountain View:  Data

3. Kirtland Community

Overall SnackAbility

3
/10

Population: 1,340
Rank Last Year: 8 (Up 5)
Median Home Value: $106,167 (16th worst)
Median Income: $32,250 (23rd worst)
More on Kirtland Community:  Data

4. Wildflower

Overall SnackAbility

3
/10

Population: 690
Rank Last Year: 3 (Down 1)
Median Home Value: $91,700 (10th worst)
Median Income: $35,179 (34th worst)
More on Wildflower:  Data

5. Barelas

Overall SnackAbility

3
/10

Population: 2,516
Rank Last Year: 13 (Up 8)
Median Home Value: $127,900 (32nd worst)
Median Income: $28,163 (14th worst)
More on Barelas:  Data

6. Albuquerque Meadows

Overall SnackAbility

3
/10

Population: 199
Rank Last Year: 5 (Down 1)
Median Home Value: $21,600 (2nd worst)
Median Income: $53,990 (105th worst)
More on Albuquerque Meadows:  Data

7. Alta Monte

Overall SnackAbility

3
/10

Population: 1,776
Rank Last Year: 4 (Down 3)
Median Home Value: $5,000 (1st worst)
Median Income: $22,486 (5th worst)
More on Alta Monte:  Data

8. Quail Ridge

Overall SnackAbility

3
/10

Population: 150
Rank Last Year: 6 (Down 2)
Median Home Value: $144,600 (49th worst)
Median Income: $32,472 (24th worst)
More on Quail Ridge:  Data

9. Clayton Heights-Lomas Del Cielo

Overall SnackAbility

4
/10

Population: 980
Rank Last Year: 27 (Up 18)
Median Home Value: $116,300 (24th worst)
Median Income: $36,512 (42nd worst)
More on Clayton Heights-Lomas Del Cielo:  Data

10. Encanto Village

Overall SnackAbility

3
/10

Population: 195
Rank Last Year: 19 (Up 9)
Median Home Value: $145,500 (54th worst)
Median Income: $47,483 (84th worst)
More on Encanto Village:  Data

How we determined the worst Albuquerque hoods in 2020

To figure out how bad a place is to live in, we only needed to know what kinds of things people like and then decide what places have the least amount of those things. We threw the following criteria into this analysis in order to get the best, most complete results possible. We used this set of criteria for each neighborhood in Albuquerque:

  • High unemployment (Less jobs)
  • Low median income (Less pay)
  • Low population density (No things to do)
  • Low home values (No one’s willing to pay to live here)
  • High crime (Estimated)

Then, we ranked each neighborhood in Albuquerque, New Mexico for each of these criteria from worst to best.

Next, we averaged the individual rankings for each criteria into a “Worst Score”.

The neighborhood with the lowest “Worst Score” ranks as the worst neighborhood of Albuquerque.

Read on below to learn more about these terrible places around Albuquerque to live. Or skip to the end to see the list of all 210 neighborhoods ranked from worst to best.

This list is a scientific analysis based on real data and is completely unbiased. Hold on to your pants.

The ‘hoods around Albuquerque that are really hoods

Well there you have it — the worst of the neighborhoods in Albuquerque with Yale Village landing at the bottom of the pack.

As we mentioned earlier, the neighborhoods in Albuquerque aren’t all bad. Peppertree-Royal Oak takes the cake as the best place to live in Albuquerque.

We ranked the neighborhoods from worst to best in the chart below.

For more New Mexico reading, check out:

Where Are The Worst Neighborhoods To Live In Albuquerque For 2020?

Rank Neighborhood Population Home Value Median Income
1 Yale Village 79 $85,900 $23,727
2 Mountain View 2,151 $125,967 $36,114
3 Kirtland Community 1,340 $106,167 $32,250
4 Wildflower 690 $91,700 $35,179
5 Barelas 2,516 $127,900 $28,163
6 Albuquerque Meadows 199 $21,600 $53,990
7 Alta Monte 1,776 $5,000 $22,486
8 Quail Ridge 150 $144,600 $32,472
9 Clayton Heights-Lomas Del Cielo 980 $116,300 $36,512
10 Encanto Village 195 $145,500 $47,483
11 Santa Barbara 2,263 $148,325 $28,137
12 South Atrisco 1,483 $140,100 $41,187
13 Trumbull Village 8,246 $55,670 $20,285
14 Greater Gardner 373 $106,250 $31,649
15 San Jose 2,843 $103,733 $28,912
16 Skyview West 1,014 $110,500 $40,082
17 Los Volcanes 3,510 $76,500 $23,260
18 La Mesa 7,610 $122,383 $21,085
19 Alamosa 4,287 $101,725 $32,674
20 Vista Sandia Hoa 518 $130,400 $42,647
21 Villa De Paza 262 $118,600 $36,863
22 Riverview Heights 109 $145,200 $35,920
23 South San Pedro 6,643 $87,950 $20,397
24 South Los Altos 2,541 $104,425 $36,935
25 Silver Hill 2,089 $132,075 $23,301
26 Vista Magnifica 162 $145,200 $35,920
27 Martineztown 259 $128,200 $23,646
28 Singing Arrow 3,324 $60,400 $34,034
29 Plaza Vieja 324 $170,000 $37,639
30 Los Alamos 272 $169,900 $26,481
31 Victory Hills 2,657 $165,233 $45,917
32 San Antonio 37 $108,700 $37,109
33 Los Jardines 73 $248,400 $17,344
34 Wells Park 1,751 $168,175 $45,467
35 North Hills 309 $132,500 $32,766
36 Crestview Bluff 1,685 $129,950 $30,093
37 Palomas Park 343 $132,500 $32,766
38 Stronghurst 106 $154,200 $40,486
39 West Old Town 1,750 $185,233 $30,690
40 Montgomery Heights 621 $220,000 $30,365
41 West Mesa 5,680 $129,517 $35,280
42 Uptown 3,636 $142,311 $44,423
43 Grande Hts 194 $161,000 $48,382
44 Del Rey R 225 $108,700 $37,109
45 Huning Highland Historic District 918 $167,900 $32,736
46 North Eastern 3,234 $115,367 $38,653
47 South Broadway 3,410 $105,000 $32,793
48 Stinson Tower 1,433 $145,500 $47,483
49 Fair Heights 806 $181,950 $43,201
50 Princess Jeanne 2,732 $140,060 $42,729
51 Downtown 3,621 $197,950 $38,143
52 Highlands North 400 $200,050 $51,942
53 Jackson Area 1,352 $151,000 $58,290
54 Near N Valley 5,616 $197,114 $36,146
55 Mark Twain 1,553 $199,500 $51,979
56 Bel-Air 1,942 $134,900 $50,111
57 University Hts 2,105 $192,500 $23,493
58 Boyds-Leslie Park 514 $215,300 $38,384
59 Elder Homestead 1,990 $133,800 $41,607
60 Raynolds 1,410 $218,567 $30,740
61 Inez 731 $161,100 $55,108
62 Chelwood Vista 1,895 $156,300 $29,841
63 Avalon 3,178 $144,900 $41,875
64 Four Hills Mhp 1,574 $40,733 $49,886
65 Monkbridge Gardens 1,913 $83,950 $30,153
66 West Bluff 1,882 $161,000 $48,382
67 Winrock South 228 $182,300 $33,352
68 Del Norte 6,766 $177,250 $42,082
69 Vista Montecito 107 $214,400 $66,696
70 Northeast Valley 1,517 $250,950 $58,598
71 Montgomery Park 1,099 $172,750 $42,034
72 Zuni 703 $167,600 $57,417
73 Fair West 2,160 $149,800 $36,981
74 Academy Ridge East 1,047 $161,833 $66,410
75 Valley Gardens 2,270 $142,600 $51,634
76 Westgate Vecinos 16,748 $122,790 $43,724
77 Keystone 83 $215,000 $64,934
78 Laurelwood 2,439 $180,500 $47,394
79 Conchas Park 1,392 $144,800 $41,181
80 Quaker Heights 991 $195,000 $67,347
81 Cottonwood Heights 1,200 $180,100 $51,473
82 Jade Park 879 $117,900 $51,449
83 Sycamore 1,017 $244,450 $35,357
84 Vecinos Del Bosque 2,782 $113,367 $33,811
85 Route 66 West 5,072 $123,100 $45,919
86 Story Rock 261 $227,200 $78,049
87 Eastrange-Piedra Vista 321 $203,200 $47,674
88 Matheson Park 1,573 $156,700 $49,856
89 Mckinley 3,058 $128,075 $38,592
90 Jerry Cline Park 1,021 $195,150 $33,551
91 Sawmill 985 $185,150 $40,432
92 Jeanne Bellamah East 1,427 $141,150 $35,678
93 Sombra Del Monte 929 $188,200 $55,910
94 Alvarado Park 1,464 $165,400 $43,884
95 Se Heights 3,667 $259,450 $54,873
96 Westgate Hts 29,348 $119,350 $44,916
97 San Gabriel 1,407 $233,300 $57,243
98 Broadway Central 900 $239,600 $27,888
99 Arroyo Del Oso North 407 $354,700 $54,313
100 Enchanted Park 1,799 $187,500 $46,905
101 Painted Sky 554 $161,100 $68,476
102 Ladera West 3,875 $101,367 $53,290
103 La Luz De Sol 740 $227,200 $78,049
104 Skyview Acres 260 $287,800 $36,676
105 Richland Hills 323 $266,900 $91,250
106 Crestview Heights 136 $226,900 $64,063
107 Bosque Dell Acres 267 $287,800 $36,676
108 Loma Del Rey 2,383 $211,700 $62,320
109 Towne Park 608 $161,900 $47,379
110 Quigley Park 1,186 $157,000 $60,875
111 Hodgin 3,097 $151,700 $49,280
112 Desert Spring Flower 3,738 $110,000 $42,826
113 Las Lomitas 491 $215,500 $82,578
114 Indian Moon 1,136 $192,200 $54,664
115 Academy Acres North 5,415 $199,000 $52,091
116 West Park 456 $260,000 $59,294
117 La Sala Grande 339 $239,400 $40,000
118 Skies West 3,118 $180,000 $57,738
119 Paloma Del Sol 128 $233,200 $71,563
120 N Campus 1,513 $272,700 $54,272
121 Las Terrazas 147 $208,200 $76,434
122 Tijeras Arroyo 3,843 $134,325 $63,296
123 Kachina Hills 362 $268,400 $97,046
124 Academy Park 92 $213,900 $80,703
125 South Guadalupe Trail 407 $244,500 $54,133
126 Pat Hurley 1,945 $161,700 $44,375
127 Coors Trail 285 $282,900 $70,625
128 Supper Rock 3,277 $252,600 $63,484
129 Big Bend 85 $221,700 $60,750
130 Huning Castle 925 $282,750 $58,536
131 Campus 218 $285,500 $133,092
132 Eisenhower 1,793 $181,650 $59,187
133 Academy North 181 $209,900 $92,818
134 Rio Grande Blvd 2,495 $287,971 $59,642
135 Highland 2,488 $244,900 $37,576
136 Candelmen 1,636 $157,400 $43,125
137 Riverfronte 419 $1,215,900 $56,538
138 Stardust Skies North 291 $255,400 $50,764
139 Spruce Park 598 $329,200 $53,125
140 Parkland Hills 2,494 $219,833 $48,062
141 Snow Heights 2,086 $178,800 $68,728
142 Vista Del Norte 2,616 $252,200 $72,835
143 Nob Hill 4,325 $265,667 $48,226
144 Mossman 660 $198,700 $70,550
145 Netherwood Park 1,012 $273,450 $46,404
146 Cielito Lindo 1,169 $229,200 $78,641
147 North Domingo Baca 1,537 $229,600 $88,784
148 La Luz 106 $325,800 $76,319
149 Taylor Ranch 19,686 $201,386 $64,806
150 Altura 1,854 $279,300 $64,911
151 Vista Grande 290 $325,800 $76,319
152 Osuna Park 2,254 $222,300 $66,418
153 Ventana Ranch 9,551 $192,820 $71,673
154 Willow Wood 742 $215,700 $55,662
155 Academy Estates East 1,146 $271,325 $58,144
156 Glenwood Hills South Casa Grande 1,074 $337,300 $88,916
157 Holiday Park 2,839 $210,700 $73,307
158 Matthew Meadows 334 $328,400 $60,714
159 Sandia Ridge 1,081 $259,550 $66,120
160 Alameda N Valley 13,990 $295,250 $62,075
161 Classic Uptown 1,571 $219,050 $58,488
162 Thomas Village 650 $359,800 $91,989
163 Piedras Marcadas 1,164 $244,650 $80,750
164 Cibola Addition 1,162 $265,700 $85,596
165 Eagle Ranch 1,707 $240,650 $78,973
166 Alban Hills 4,372 $228,500 $73,522
167 Sr Marmon 3,470 $166,750 $62,908
168 Saragossa 354 $244,400 $102,361
169 Alvarado Grdns 698 $359,800 $91,989
170 Onate 1,515 $226,900 $64,063
171 Prospectors Ridge 1,044 $254,800 $64,958
172 Four Hills Village 2,111 $302,333 $84,961
173 Summit Park 2,121 $265,150 $75,553
174 Paradise Heights 494 $244,400 $102,361
175 Lee Acres 206 $275,000 $70,238
176 Gavilan 107 $275,000 $70,238
177 Oso Grande 1,091 $195,400 $57,121
178 North Wyoming 4,763 $199,050 $49,992
179 Siesta Hills 297 $311,900 $100,833
180 Volcano Cliffs 2,480 $210,175 $69,148
181 Eldorado Heights 3,104 $217,750 $51,533
182 John Robert 2,159 $253,650 $89,548
183 S Y Jackson 2,751 $228,900 $68,514
184 Cherry Hills 168 $274,400 $109,250
185 Embudo Canyon 2,690 $283,300 $103,520
186 Parkway 3,174 $179,200 $78,568
187 Sandia 1,814 $249,100 $65,650
188 Tierra Oeste 3,279 $215,500 $82,578
189 Glenwood Hills 651 $368,000 $110,446
190 Rancho Sereno 1,935 $263,400 $99,974
191 Paradise Hills 28,891 $259,647 $72,005
192 Academy Hills Park 2,882 $278,575 $72,429
193 Nor Este 4,323 $385,267 $106,394
194 Los Poblanos 799 $275,000 $70,238
195 Tuscany 1,809 $184,700 $76,693
196 Stardust Skies Park 980 $264,350 $78,829
197 Estates At Tanoan 69 $546,000 $122,917
198 Mirabella 1,974 $198,300 $69,602
199 Bear Canyon 1,783 $243,750 $81,746
200 Vineyard Estates 916 $416,100 $139,191
201 Heritage Hills 2,283 $217,900 $84,835
202 Antelope Run 979 $363,900 $82,679
203 Quintessance 644 $366,000 $94,750
204 Seven Bar North 1,252 $244,400 $102,361
205 N Albuquerque Acres 8,261 $488,671 $117,682
206 Tanoan 1,302 $386,500 $91,818
207 Vista Del Mundo 910 $374,200 $137,800
208 Heritage East 2,805 $315,700 $107,311
209 Tanoan East 1,398 $454,950 $102,798
210 Peppertree-Royal Oak 1,448 $377,300 $116,382

 Rankings, Worst