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 2021. This is our fifth time ranking the worst neighborhoods to live in Albuquerque.
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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 197 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 2021? 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. Looking for places to avoid outside of the city? You can also check out the worst suburbs of Albuquerque.
For more New Mexico reading, check out:
The 10 Worst Neighborhoods In Albuquerque For 2021
Population: 79
Rank Last Year: 1 (No Change)
Median Home Value: $85,900 (7th worst)
Median Income: $23,727 (10th worst)
More on Yale Village: Data
Population: 1,340
Rank Last Year: 3 (Up 1)
Median Home Value: $106,167 (15th worst)
Median Income: $32,250 (23rd worst)
More on Kirtland Community: Data
Population: 2,516
Rank Last Year: 5 (Up 2)
Median Home Value: $127,900 (3worst)
Median Income: $28,163 (14th worst)
More on Barelas: Data
Population: 2,151
Rank Last Year: 2 (Down 2)
Median Home Value: $125,967 (30th worst)
Median Income: $36,114 (40th worst)
More on Mountain View: Data
Population: 690
Rank Last Year: 4 (Down 1)
Median Home Value: $91,700 (9th worst)
Median Income: $35,179 (34th worst)
More on Wildflower: Data
Population: 1,776
Rank Last Year: 7 (Up 1)
Median Home Value: $5,000 (worst)
Median Income: $22,486 (5th worst)
More on Alta Monte: Data
Population: 2,263
Rank Last Year: 11 (Up 4)
Median Home Value: $148,325 (53rd worst)
Median Income: $28,137 (13th worst)
More on Santa Barbara: Data
Population: 150
Rank Last Year: 8 (No Change)
Median Home Value: $144,600 (48th worst)
Median Income: $32,472 (24th worst)
More on Quail Ridge: Data
Population: 980
Rank Last Year: 9 (No Change)
Median Home Value: $116,300 (23rd worst)
Median Income: $36,512 (42nd worst)
More on Clayton Heights-Lomas Del Cielo: Data
Population: 2,843
Rank Last Year: 15 (Up 5)
Median Home Value: $103,733 (12th worst)
Median Income: $28,912 (15th worst)
More on San Jose: Data
How we determined the worst Albuquerque hoods in 2021
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 197 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 2021?
Rank |
Neighborhood |
Population |
Home Value |
Median Income |
1 |
Yale Village |
79 |
$85,900 |
$23,727 |
2 |
Kirtland Community |
1,340 |
$106,167 |
$32,250 |
3 |
Barelas |
2,516 |
$127,900 |
$28,163 |
4 |
Mountain View |
2,151 |
$125,967 |
$36,114 |
5 |
Wildflower |
690 |
$91,700 |
$35,179 |
6 |
Alta Monte |
1,776 |
$5,000 |
$22,486 |
7 |
Santa Barbara |
2,263 |
$148,325 |
$28,137 |
8 |
Quail Ridge |
150 |
$144,600 |
$32,472 |
9 |
Clayton Heights-Lomas Del Cielo |
980 |
$116,300 |
$36,512 |
10 |
San Jose |
2,843 |
$103,733 |
$28,912 |
11 |
Skyview West |
1,014 |
$110,500 |
$40,082 |
12 |
Alamosa |
4,287 |
$101,725 |
$32,674 |
13 |
South Atrisco |
1,483 |
$140,100 |
$41,187 |
14 |
Trumbull Village |
8,246 |
$55,670 |
$20,285 |
15 |
La Mesa |
7,610 |
$122,383 |
$21,085 |
16 |
Los Volcanes |
3,510 |
$76,500 |
$23,260 |
17 |
Greater Gardner |
373 |
$106,250 |
$31,649 |
18 |
Vista Sandia Hoa |
518 |
$130,400 |
$42,647 |
19 |
South Los Altos |
2,541 |
$104,425 |
$36,935 |
20 |
Los Alamos |
272 |
$169,900 |
$26,481 |
21 |
Crestview Bluff |
1,685 |
$129,950 |
$30,093 |
22 |
South San Pedro |
6,643 |
$87,950 |
$20,397 |
23 |
Villa De Paza |
262 |
$118,600 |
$36,863 |
24 |
Riverview Heights |
109 |
$145,200 |
$35,920 |
25 |
Silver Hill |
2,089 |
$132,075 |
$23,301 |
26 |
Martineztown |
259 |
$128,200 |
$23,646 |
27 |
Singing Arrow |
3,324 |
$60,400 |
$34,034 |
28 |
Vista Magnifica |
162 |
$145,200 |
$35,920 |
29 |
Plaza Vieja |
324 |
$170,000 |
$37,639 |
30 |
West Mesa |
5,680 |
$129,517 |
$35,280 |
31 |
Victory Hills |
2,657 |
$165,233 |
$45,917 |
32 |
West Old Town |
1,750 |
$185,233 |
$30,690 |
33 |
Los Jardines |
73 |
$248,400 |
$17,344 |
34 |
Grande Hts |
194 |
$161,000 |
$48,382 |
35 |
Wells Park |
1,751 |
$168,175 |
$45,467 |
36 |
North Hills |
309 |
$132,500 |
$32,766 |
37 |
San Antonio |
37 |
$108,700 |
$37,109 |
38 |
South Broadway |
3,410 |
$105,000 |
$32,793 |
39 |
Palomas Park |
343 |
$132,500 |
$32,766 |
40 |
Stronghurst |
106 |
$154,200 |
$40,486 |
41 |
Montgomery Heights |
621 |
$220,000 |
$30,365 |
42 |
Jackson Area |
1,352 |
$151,000 |
$58,290 |
43 |
Raynolds |
1,410 |
$218,567 |
$30,740 |
44 |
Near N Valley |
5,616 |
$197,114 |
$36,146 |
45 |
Mark Twain |
1,553 |
$199,500 |
$51,979 |
46 |
Chelwood Vista |
1,895 |
$156,300 |
$29,841 |
47 |
Uptown |
3,636 |
$142,311 |
$44,423 |
48 |
Huning Highland Historic District |
918 |
$167,900 |
$32,736 |
49 |
Del Rey R |
225 |
$108,700 |
$37,109 |
50 |
Monkbridge Gardens |
1,913 |
$83,950 |
$30,153 |
51 |
Elder Homestead |
1,990 |
$133,800 |
$41,607 |
52 |
Del Norte |
6,766 |
$177,250 |
$42,082 |
53 |
Fair Heights |
806 |
$181,950 |
$43,201 |
54 |
North Eastern |
3,234 |
$115,367 |
$38,653 |
55 |
Highlands North |
400 |
$200,050 |
$51,942 |
56 |
Downtown |
3,621 |
$197,950 |
$38,143 |
57 |
University Hts |
2,105 |
$192,500 |
$23,493 |
58 |
Winrock South |
228 |
$182,300 |
$33,352 |
59 |
Four Hills Mhp |
1,574 |
$40,733 |
$49,886 |
60 |
Boyds-Leslie Park |
514 |
$215,300 |
$38,384 |
61 |
Princess Jeanne |
2,732 |
$140,060 |
$42,729 |
62 |
Bel-Air |
1,942 |
$134,900 |
$50,111 |
63 |
Avalon |
3,178 |
$144,900 |
$41,875 |
64 |
West Bluff |
1,882 |
$161,000 |
$48,382 |
65 |
Zuni |
703 |
$167,600 |
$57,417 |
66 |
Laurelwood |
2,439 |
$180,500 |
$47,394 |
67 |
Mckinley |
3,058 |
$128,075 |
$38,592 |
68 |
Jade Park |
879 |
$117,900 |
$51,449 |
69 |
Vista Montecito |
107 |
$214,400 |
$66,696 |
70 |
Eastrange-Piedra Vista |
321 |
$203,200 |
$47,674 |
71 |
Conchas Park |
1,392 |
$144,800 |
$41,181 |
72 |
Valley Gardens |
2,270 |
$142,600 |
$51,634 |
73 |
Westgate Vecinos |
16,748 |
$122,790 |
$43,724 |
74 |
Montgomery Park |
1,099 |
$172,750 |
$42,034 |
75 |
Northeast Valley |
1,517 |
$250,950 |
$58,598 |
76 |
Matheson Park |
1,573 |
$156,700 |
$49,856 |
77 |
Academy Ridge East |
1,047 |
$161,833 |
$66,410 |
78 |
Fair West |
2,160 |
$149,800 |
$36,981 |
79 |
Cottonwood Heights |
1,200 |
$180,100 |
$51,473 |
80 |
Vecinos Del Bosque |
2,782 |
$113,367 |
$33,811 |
81 |
Route 66 West |
5,072 |
$123,100 |
$45,919 |
82 |
Jeanne Bellamah East |
1,427 |
$141,150 |
$35,678 |
83 |
Alvarado Park |
1,464 |
$165,400 |
$43,884 |
84 |
Enchanted Park |
1,799 |
$187,500 |
$46,905 |
85 |
Quaker Heights |
991 |
$195,000 |
$67,347 |
86 |
San Gabriel |
1,407 |
$233,300 |
$57,243 |
87 |
Sombra Del Monte |
929 |
$188,200 |
$55,910 |
88 |
Sycamore |
1,017 |
$244,450 |
$35,357 |
89 |
Jerry Cline Park |
1,021 |
$195,150 |
$33,551 |
90 |
Westgate Hts |
29,348 |
$119,350 |
$44,916 |
91 |
Broadway Central |
900 |
$239,600 |
$27,888 |
92 |
Inez |
731 |
$161,100 |
$55,108 |
93 |
Story Rock |
261 |
$227,200 |
$78,049 |
94 |
Sawmill |
985 |
$185,150 |
$40,432 |
95 |
Se Heights |
3,667 |
$259,450 |
$54,873 |
96 |
Richland Hills |
323 |
$266,900 |
$91,250 |
97 |
Painted Sky |
554 |
$161,100 |
$68,476 |
98 |
Ladera West |
3,875 |
$101,367 |
$53,290 |
99 |
Loma Del Rey |
2,383 |
$211,700 |
$62,320 |
100 |
Academy Acres North |
5,415 |
$199,000 |
$52,091 |
101 |
Indian Moon |
1,136 |
$192,200 |
$54,664 |
102 |
Towne Park |
608 |
$161,900 |
$47,379 |
103 |
Arroyo Del Oso North |
407 |
$354,700 |
$54,313 |
104 |
Quigley Park |
1,186 |
$157,000 |
$60,875 |
105 |
Desert Spring Flower |
3,738 |
$110,000 |
$42,826 |
106 |
Crestview Heights |
136 |
$226,900 |
$64,063 |
107 |
La Luz De Sol |
740 |
$227,200 |
$78,049 |
108 |
Bosque Dell Acres |
267 |
$287,800 |
$36,676 |
109 |
Skyview Acres |
260 |
$287,800 |
$36,676 |
110 |
Supper Rock |
3,277 |
$252,600 |
$63,484 |
111 |
N Campus |
1,513 |
$272,700 |
$54,272 |
112 |
Hodgin |
3,097 |
$151,700 |
$49,280 |
113 |
Huning Castle |
925 |
$282,750 |
$58,536 |
114 |
South Guadalupe Trail |
407 |
$244,500 |
$54,133 |
115 |
Skies West |
3,118 |
$180,000 |
$57,738 |
116 |
La Sala Grande |
339 |
$239,400 |
$40,000 |
117 |
West Park |
456 |
$260,000 |
$59,294 |
118 |
Las Lomitas |
491 |
$215,500 |
$82,578 |
119 |
Tijeras Arroyo |
3,843 |
$134,325 |
$63,296 |
120 |
Pat Hurley |
1,945 |
$161,700 |
$44,375 |
121 |
Eisenhower |
1,793 |
$181,650 |
$59,187 |
122 |
Rio Grande Blvd |
2,495 |
$287,971 |
$59,642 |
123 |
Keystone |
83 |
$215,000 |
$64,934 |
124 |
Parkland Hills |
2,494 |
$219,833 |
$48,062 |
125 |
Snow Heights |
2,086 |
$178,800 |
$68,728 |
126 |
Coors Trail |
285 |
$282,900 |
$70,625 |
127 |
Spruce Park |
598 |
$329,200 |
$53,125 |
128 |
Academy Park |
92 |
$213,900 |
$80,703 |
129 |
Vista Del Norte |
2,616 |
$252,200 |
$72,835 |
130 |
Big Bend |
85 |
$221,700 |
$60,750 |
131 |
Riverfronte |
419 |
$1,215,900 |
$56,538 |
132 |
Academy North |
181 |
$209,900 |
$92,818 |
133 |
Highland |
2,488 |
$244,900 |
$37,576 |
134 |
Candelmen |
1,636 |
$157,400 |
$43,125 |
135 |
Stardust Skies North |
291 |
$255,400 |
$50,764 |
136 |
Holiday Park |
2,839 |
$210,700 |
$73,307 |
137 |
Mossman |
660 |
$198,700 |
$70,550 |
138 |
North Domingo Baca |
1,537 |
$229,600 |
$88,784 |
139 |
Nob Hill |
4,325 |
$265,667 |
$48,226 |
140 |
Taylor Ranch |
19,686 |
$201,386 |
$64,806 |
141 |
Sandia Ridge |
1,081 |
$259,550 |
$66,120 |
142 |
Netherwood Park |
1,012 |
$273,450 |
$46,404 |
143 |
Osuna Park |
2,254 |
$222,300 |
$66,418 |
144 |
Ventana Ranch |
9,551 |
$192,820 |
$71,673 |
145 |
Willow Wood |
742 |
$215,700 |
$55,662 |
146 |
Glenwood Hills South Casa Grande |
1,074 |
$337,300 |
$88,916 |
147 |
Classic Uptown |
1,571 |
$219,050 |
$58,488 |
148 |
La Luz |
106 |
$325,800 |
$76,319 |
149 |
Sr Marmon |
3,470 |
$166,750 |
$62,908 |
150 |
Vista Grande |
290 |
$325,800 |
$76,319 |
151 |
Eagle Ranch |
1,707 |
$240,650 |
$78,973 |
152 |
Alameda N Valley |
13,990 |
$295,250 |
$62,075 |
153 |
Academy Estates East |
1,146 |
$271,325 |
$58,144 |
154 |
Summit Park |
2,121 |
$265,150 |
$75,553 |
155 |
Alvarado Grdns |
698 |
$359,800 |
$91,989 |
156 |
Paloma Del Sol |
128 |
$233,200 |
$71,563 |
157 |
Cibola Addition |
1,162 |
$265,700 |
$85,596 |
158 |
Piedras Marcadas |
1,164 |
$244,650 |
$80,750 |
159 |
Onate |
1,515 |
$226,900 |
$64,063 |
160 |
Alban Hills |
4,372 |
$228,500 |
$73,522 |
161 |
North Wyoming |
4,763 |
$199,050 |
$49,992 |
162 |
Lee Acres |
206 |
$275,000 |
$70,238 |
163 |
Thomas Village |
650 |
$359,800 |
$91,989 |
164 |
Eldorado Heights |
3,104 |
$217,750 |
$51,533 |
165 |
Oso Grande |
1,091 |
$195,400 |
$57,121 |
166 |
S Y Jackson |
2,751 |
$228,900 |
$68,514 |
167 |
Gavilan |
107 |
$275,000 |
$70,238 |
168 |
Four Hills Village |
2,111 |
$302,333 |
$84,961 |
169 |
Volcano Cliffs |
2,480 |
$210,175 |
$69,148 |
170 |
John Robert |
2,159 |
$253,650 |
$89,548 |
171 |
Saragossa |
354 |
$244,400 |
$102,361 |
172 |
Altura |
1,854 |
$279,300 |
$64,911 |
173 |
Prospectors Ridge |
1,044 |
$254,800 |
$64,958 |
174 |
Embudo Canyon |
2,690 |
$283,300 |
$103,520 |
175 |
Paradise Heights |
494 |
$244,400 |
$102,361 |
176 |
Parkway |
3,174 |
$179,200 |
$78,568 |
177 |
Tierra Oeste |
3,279 |
$215,500 |
$82,578 |
178 |
Sandia |
1,814 |
$249,100 |
$65,650 |
179 |
Kachina Hills |
362 |
$268,400 |
$97,046 |
180 |
Nor Este |
4,323 |
$385,267 |
$106,394 |
181 |
Academy Hills Park |
2,882 |
$278,575 |
$72,429 |
182 |
Tuscany |
1,809 |
$184,700 |
$76,693 |
183 |
Paradise Hills |
28,891 |
$259,647 |
$72,005 |
184 |
Los Poblanos |
799 |
$275,000 |
$70,238 |
185 |
Glenwood Hills |
651 |
$368,000 |
$110,446 |
186 |
Stardust Skies Park |
980 |
$264,350 |
$78,829 |
187 |
Heritage Hills |
2,283 |
$217,900 |
$84,835 |
188 |
Mirabella |
1,974 |
$198,300 |
$69,602 |
189 |
Vineyard Estates |
916 |
$416,100 |
$139,191 |
190 |
Antelope Run |
979 |
$363,900 |
$82,679 |
191 |
Bear Canyon |
1,783 |
$243,750 |
$81,746 |
192 |
Quintessance |
644 |
$366,000 |
$94,750 |
193 |
Seven Bar North |
1,252 |
$244,400 |
$102,361 |
194 |
N Albuquerque Acres |
8,261 |
$488,671 |
$117,682 |
195 |
Tanoan East |
1,398 |
$454,950 |
$102,798 |
196 |
Heritage East |
2,805 |
$315,700 |
$107,311 |
197 |
Peppertree-Royal Oak |
1,448 |
$377,300 |
$116,382 |
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