📊 Albuquerque, NM Market Demographics
Population
919,000
🟢 Census ACS 2023
Median Household Income
$55,400
🟢 ACS Table B19013
Median Age
37.0 yrs
🟢 ACS Table B01002
Unemployment Rate
5.8%
🟢 BLS LAUS
Homeownership Rate
59.2%
🟢 ACS Table B25003
📋 Market Analysis: Why Albuquerque for Franchising?
Income & purchasing power. Albuquerque's median household income of $55,400 is 26% below the national median of $75,149. Value-oriented franchise concepts (QSR, cleaning services, discount retail) tend to perform well in markets below the national income median, as franchisees can maintain lower operating costs while serving strong demand.
Labor market conditions. The unemployment rate in Albuquerque is 5.8%, 2.2pp above the national average of 3.6%. Higher unemployment can mean a larger available labor pool for franchise operators, but may also signal weaker consumer demand. Categories serving essential needs (automotive, healthcare, cleaning) tend to be more resilient.
Homeownership & service demand. At 59.2%, homeownership in Albuquerque is 6pp below the national rate of 65.2%. Lower homeownership rates shift franchise demand toward service-based and convenience concepts rather than home services. Look for opportunities in fitness, food, and personal care.
Top opportunity: Fast Food / QSR. With a Penetration Index of 47 (53% below the national average), Fast Food / QSR has the highest Opportunity Score of 74/100 in Albuquerque. The market has an estimated 173 existing units versus 368 expected based on population — a gap of roughly 195 units that represents white-space opportunity for new entrants.
How Albuquerque compares. Demographically similar metro areas include Bakersfield, Knoxville, Fresno. Comparing franchise penetration across peer markets can reveal whether Albuquerque's opportunity gaps are local (untapped demand) or structural (category fit for the region). Explore each peer market for side-by-side franchise category analysis.
#1
🍔
Fast Food / QSR
Quick-service restaurants including burgers, pizza, sandwiches, and ethnic fast food
74
Opportunity
Score
🟡 Estimated
Penetration Index
47
53% below avg
Est. Units (Albuquerque)
173
vs 368 expected
Avg Investment
$250,000–$800,000
typical range
53% below peer-market average — 173 estimated units vs 368 expected for a market of 0.9M (Source: FDD Item 20 estimates)
📊 Source: Unit counts from FDD Item 20 + Census business patterns
Full Analysis — All 10 Categories in Albuquerque →
#2
☕
Coffee & Beverages
Coffee shops, juice bars, tea houses, and specialty beverage franchises
74
Opportunity
Score
🟡 Estimated
Penetration Index
47
53% below avg
Est. Units (Albuquerque)
77
vs 165 expected
Avg Investment
$150,000–$500,000
typical range
53% below peer-market average — 77 estimated units vs 165 expected for a market of 0.9M (Source: FDD Item 20 estimates)
📊 Source: Unit counts from FDD disclosures + SBA franchise data
Full Analysis — All 10 Categories in Albuquerque →
#3
💪
Fitness & Wellness
Gyms, boutique fitness studios, yoga, martial arts, and wellness centers
74
Opportunity
Score
🟡 Estimated
Penetration Index
47
53% below avg
Est. Units (Albuquerque)
52
vs 110 expected
Avg Investment
$200,000–$600,000
typical range
53% below peer-market average — 52 estimated units vs 110 expected for a market of 0.9M (Source: FDD Item 20 estimates)
📊 Source: Unit counts from IFA membership data + FDD Item 20
Full Analysis — All 10 Categories in Albuquerque →
#4
🚗
Automotive Services
Oil change, auto repair, detailing, and specialty automotive service franchises
74
Opportunity
Score
🟡 Estimated
Penetration Index
47
53% below avg
Est. Units (Albuquerque)
35
vs 74 expected
Avg Investment
$180,000–$450,000
typical range
53% below peer-market average — 35 estimated units vs 74 expected for a market of 0.9M (Source: FDD Item 20 estimates)
📊 Source: Unit counts from Census business patterns (NAICS 8111)
Full Analysis — All 10 Categories in Albuquerque →
#5
🏠
Home Services
Cleaning, landscaping, HVAC, plumbing, and home improvement service franchises
74
Opportunity
Score
🟡 Estimated
Penetration Index
47
53% below avg
Est. Units (Albuquerque)
95
vs 202 expected
Avg Investment
$80,000–$300,000
typical range
53% below peer-market average — 95 estimated units vs 202 expected for a market of 0.9M (Source: FDD Item 20 estimates)
📊 Source: Unit counts from FDD disclosures + IFA annual report
Full Analysis — All 10 Categories in Albuquerque →
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📈 Peer Market Comparison — Similar Metro Areas
| Metro Area | Population | Median HHI |
|---|
| 📍 Albuquerque, NM (this market) | 919,000 | $55,400 |
| Bakersfield, CA |
920,000 |
$57,200 |
| Knoxville, TN |
893,000 |
$57,400 |
| Fresno, CA |
1,003,000 |
$55,200 |
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best franchise categories to open in Albuquerque?
Based on our data analysis, the top franchise categories in Albuquerque by Opportunity Score are: 1. Fast Food / QSR (Score: 74/100), 2. Coffee & Beverages (Score: 74/100), 3. Fitness & Wellness (Score: 74/100), 4. Automotive Services (Score: 74/100), 5. Home Services (Score: 74/100). These scores are based on population demographics from US Census ACS 2023 and franchise unit count estimates from FDD Item 20 disclosures.
How many people live in the Albuquerque, NM metro area?
According to the US Census American Community Survey 2023 5-year estimates, the Albuquerque, NM metropolitan statistical area has a population of 919,000.
What is the median household income in Albuquerque?
The median household income in the Albuquerque, NM metro area is $55,400, according to US Census ACS 2023 estimates (ACS Table B19013).
How many Fast Food / QSR franchise units are in Albuquerque?
Based on FDD Item 20 disclosures and Census business pattern data, Albuquerque has an estimated 173 Fast Food / QSR franchise units, compared to 368 expected based on the metro's population. This gives a Penetration Index of 47 — indicating a potentially underserved market.
How does the Albuquerque market compare to similar metro areas for franchising?
Albuquerque has a population of 919,000 and median household income of $55,400, which is -26% below the national median. Comparable metro areas include Bakersfield, Knoxville, Fresno. We recommend comparing opportunity scores across peer metros before selecting a territory, as penetration gaps vary significantly between demographically similar markets.
What factors should I consider before opening a franchise in Albuquerque?
Key factors include: (1) local income levels — Albuquerque's $55,400 median HHI determines which franchise price points the market supports, (2) category saturation — check the Penetration Index for your target category, (3) labor availability — the 5.8% unemployment rate affects staffing costs, and (4) real estate — homeownership at 59.2% influences both commercial lease availability and home services demand. Use our Territory Opportunity Finder for a complete category-by-category analysis.
📚 Data Sources & Methodology
This analysis is based on:
- US Census American Community Survey 2023 (5-year estimates)
- Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDD Item 20) through 2024
- International Franchise Association (IFA) market data
How Opportunity Scores are calculated: Scores combine franchise category penetration (estimated from FDD Item 20 data),
local income levels, unemployment, and regional market factors. A score of 80+ indicates strong underpenetration;
50–79 indicates moderate opportunity; below 50 indicates a saturated or challenging market.
What "estimated" means: Unit counts marked 🟡 are derived from FDD disclosures for major franchisors
and Census business pattern data. They are directional estimates, not precise counts. Verify through individual FDD Item 20 research.
Disclaimer: This analysis is for informational purposes only.
It does not constitute investment advice. Past market data does not guarantee future franchise performance.
Full methodology →
Last updated: April 1, 2026 · Data: US Census ACS 2023 · FDD through 2024
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