The 10 Worst Neighborhoods In Albuquerque For 2021


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

Sam Sparkes, RoadSnacks
December 30, 2020 - 57,133 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 2021. 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 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

1. Yale Village

Overall SnackAbility

3
/10

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

2. Kirtland Community

Overall SnackAbility

3
/10

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

3. Barelas

Overall SnackAbility

3
/10

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

4. Mountain View

Overall SnackAbility

3
/10

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

5. Wildflower

Overall SnackAbility

3
/10

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

6. Alta Monte

Overall SnackAbility

3
/10

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

7. Santa Barbara

Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

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

8. Quail Ridge

Overall SnackAbility

4
/10

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

9. Clayton Heights-Lomas Del Cielo

Overall SnackAbility

4
/10

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

10. San Jose

Overall SnackAbility

3
/10

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

 Rankings, Worst