Metro area air quality · 2024

Albuquerque, NM

Median AQI 61 (Moderate). 27.3% of monitored days rated Good across this metro's EPA monitoring network.

61
Median AQI
27.3%
Good-air days
7
Unhealthy days
4%
Cleaner than US metros

Aggregated from EPA Air Quality System (2024), 366 monitored days. EPA AQS → · NOAA →

Insights: Albuquerque, NM metro. Aggregated EPA AQS monitors across this Core-Based Statistical Area logged a median Air Quality Index of 61 over 366 measured days in 2024, which corresponds to a Moderate band and a Poor metro-wide health grade. The monitored-day split lands at 100 Good days (27%), 233 Moderate (64%), and 26 Unhealthy-for-Sensitive-Groups (7%). The 90th-percentile AQI finished at 100 while the highest single-day reading hit 443 (Hazardous). Metro residents averaged roughly 8.2 clean-air days per 30-day window across the reporting year.

Across the 2020–2024 trend window, good days shifted by -1 and the median AQI moved +4 points, which classifies the multi-year trajectory as stable. The metro recorded 7 unhealthy-or-worse days combined, on those days the EPA recommends that sensitive groups limit prolonged outdoor exertion, and many schools and athletic programs adjust outdoor activity accordingly. Metros with comparable AQI profiles include Bishop, CA (24.6% good, AQI 61); Brownsville-Harlingen, TX (27.1% good, AQI 61); Hanford-Corcoran, CA (27.3% good, AQI 60).

Air Quality Summary

Median AQI

61

Moderate

Good Days

27.3%

100 of 366 days

Max AQI

443

Hazardous

Health Grade

Poor

90th pct: 100

AQI Day Breakdown (2024)

Distribution of 366 monitored days across EPA AQI categories.

Good

100

27%

Moderate

233

64%

USG

26

7%

Unhealthy

4

1%

Very Unhealthy

1

0%

Hazardous

2

1%

Health Impact Assessment

Poor

The Albuquerque, NM metro area's air quality is rated Poor based on 27.3% good air days. There were 7 unhealthy days in 2024 when outdoor activity should be limited.

Air quality posed significant health risk in 2024. Sensitive groups, including people with asthma, COPD, cardiovascular conditions, children, pregnant women, and adults over 65, should monitor AirNow.gov alerts and limit outdoor activity on Unhealthy (AQI 151+) and Very Unhealthy (201+) days. Peak readings reached AQI 443, well into the Hazardous range.

Sensitive group advisory

People with asthma, COPD, heart disease, children, pregnant women, and adults 65+ should follow EPA AQI alerts daily and limit outdoor exertion when AQI exceeds 100. Real-time conditions: airnow.gov.

How does the Albuquerque, NM metro compare?

How Albuquerque, NM compares

Good-day share worse than US avg
Albuquerque, NM 27.3%
Bishop, CA 24.6%
US average 70.2%
Median AQI worse than US avg
Albuquerque, NM 61
Bishop, CA 61
US average 41
Unhealthy days / yr worse than US avg
Albuquerque, NM 7
Bishop, CA 13
US average 1

5-Year Air Quality Trend

Air quality is stable in the Albuquerque, NM metro. Best year: 2020 (101 good days).

Year Good Moderate Unhealthy Median AQI
2020 101 255 1 57
2021 60 284 2 64
2022 80 252 2 64
2023 97 264 0 60
2024 100 233 4 61

Metros with Similar Air Quality

Metro areas across the US with a similar median AQI to Albuquerque, NM.

Bishop, CA

AQI 61 · 24.6% good

61

Brownsville-Harlingen, TX

AQI 61 · 27.1% good

61

Hanford-Corcoran, CA

AQI 60 · 27.3% good

60

Las Cruces, NM

AQI 62 · 26.5% good

62

Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX

AQI 59 · 23.5% good

59

El Centro, CA

AQI 63 · 22.7% good

63

More Air Quality Data

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Worst Air Quality

Counties and metros with the most unhealthy air days.

All Metro Areas

Annual AQI by CBSA for every monitored U.S. metro area.

Best and Worst City Air

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Air Quality Guides

Learn more about air quality monitoring, pollutants, and health impacts.

Understanding AQI

What each AQI level means and who is most at risk.

Best & Worst City Air Quality

Metro area air quality rankings and what drives urban pollution.

Health Effects of Air Pollution

How PM2.5 and ozone exposure affects respiratory and cardiovascular health.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the air quality in the Albuquerque, NM metro area? ▼
The Albuquerque, NM metro area has a median Air Quality Index (AQI) of 61, rated "Moderate." 27.3% of monitored days (100 out of 366) had good air quality in 2024.
How many unhealthy air days does Albuquerque, NM have? ▼
In 2024, the Albuquerque, NM metro area recorded 7 unhealthy air days (4 Unhealthy, 1 Very Unhealthy, 2 Hazardous). The maximum AQI reached 443.
Is air quality in Albuquerque, NM getting better or worse? ▼
Air quality in the Albuquerque, NM metro is stable based on 5-year trends (2020-2024). Best year: 2020 with 101 good days. Worst year: 2021 with 60 good days.
What does AQI 61 mean for health? ▼
An AQI of 61 is "Moderate", air quality is acceptable, but some pollutants may pose a moderate health concern for a small number of sensitive individuals.
What is the 90th percentile AQI for Albuquerque, NM? ▼
The 90th percentile AQI for the Albuquerque, NM metro area is 100, meaning 90% of monitored days had an AQI at or below this level. The maximum AQI recorded was 443 (Hazardous).
How does Albuquerque, NM compare to other metro areas? ▼
The Albuquerque, NM metro has 27.3% good air days. Similar metros: Bishop, CA (24.6% good), Brownsville-Harlingen, TX (27.1% good), Hanford-Corcoran, CA (27.3% good).

Data Sources

Primary Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Air Quality System (AQS), Annual AQI by CBSA dataset, 2020–2024. The AQS collects ambient air monitoring data from state, local, and tribal monitoring agencies across the United States.

Metrics: Air Quality Index (AQI) is calculated using EPA-standard breakpoints for six criteria pollutants: PM2.5, PM10, Ozone, NO2, CO, and SO2. Median AQI, max AQI, and 90th percentile AQI are computed from daily measurements. Good days percentage reflects days with AQI 0–50.

Coverage: 501 metro areas (Core Based Statistical Areas). Only metros with active monitoring stations are included. Unmonitored areas are not represented.

Read our methodology , how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Source: U.S. EPA, AirNow / AQS Air Quality Index readings and pollutant concentrations · 2025