How high is Albuquerque?

Albuquerque sits at 4,967 ft (1,514 m) above sea level, measured from Copernicus GLO-30 satellite data. That sits below New Mexico’s average of 5,774 ft (1,760 m) — on the lower side for the state, with about 64% of New Mexico higher.

Interactive 3D elevation map of the Albuquerque, New Mexico area, from the Copernicus GLO-30 model

A live 3D slice of the terrain around Albuquerque, from our satellite elevation model. Albuquerque is marked at 4,967 ft (1,514 m); the highest ground in view reaches 10,640 ft (3,243 m). Drag to spin it (tap to start on mobile).

Albuquerque in New Mexico

Here’s the useful context: Albuquerque, at 4,967 ft (1,514 m), sits roughly 807 ft (246 m) below New Mexico’s average elevation of 5,774 ft (1,760 m). Despite its reputation it’s on the lower side for its state — our model puts about 64% of New Mexico’s land higher than the city.

2,822 ft — New Mexico low▲ Albuquerque 4,967 ft · avg 5,774 ft ┈13,140 ft — New Mexico high

The terrain around Albuquerque

Across this view the land rises toward the east. The western third of the frame averages about 5,801 ft (1,768 m); the eastern third about 6,706 ft (2,044 m) — a climb of roughly 906 ft (276 m), topping out near 10,640 ft (3,243 m) at the edge of the frame. That is the mountain front Albuquerque sits against.

You can read the whole story in the map above — the flatter ground where the city sits, and the way the land gathers into peaks nearby. It’s the difference between where you stand and what you can see from it.

What Albuquerque’s altitude means

High-altitude medicine marks about ~8,000 ft (2,400 m) as the line where thin air starts to cause real trouble, and Albuquerque, at 4,967 ft (1,514 m), sits comfortably below it. You won’t get altitude sickness just by arriving. But this is high enough that many people notice something on the first day.

The air is meaningfully thinner than at the coast, so expect a quicker pulse, a little breathlessness on stairs, and faster dehydration in dry air — and alcohol tends to hit harder. None of it is dangerous at this elevation; it just rewards drinking more water and taking the first evening easy.

How Albuquerque compares

Among New Mexico’s larger cities, Albuquerque is ranked #4 of 10 by elevation. For a familiar yardstick, that puts it a bit below Denver’s mile-high 5,280 ft (1,609 m).

Santa Fe — 7,008 ft (2,136 m)
Gallup — 6,512 ft (1,985 m)
Farmington — 5,299 ft (1,615 m)
Albuquerque — 4,967 ft (1,514 m)
Alamogordo — 4,341 ft (1,323 m)
Clovis — 4,272 ft (1,302 m)
Las Cruces — 3,914 ft (1,193 m)

Albuquerque elevation FAQ

How high is Albuquerque?: Albuquerque’s elevation is about 4,967 ft (1,514 m) above sea level at the city center, measured from Copernicus GLO-30 satellite data.
Is Albuquerque high or low for New Mexico?: On the low side. At 4,967 ft (1,514 m) it sits below New Mexico’s average of 5,774 ft (1,760 m), with about 64% of the state higher.
Does Albuquerque’s altitude affect visitors?: Mildly. At 4,967 ft (1,514 m) it’s below the ~8,000 ft (2,400 m) line where altitude sickness usually begins, but the thinner, drier air can still bring a faster pulse and quicker dehydration on the first day.

Explore more

↑ New Mexico’s full elevation map — the whole state in interactive 3D, with its high and low points and average elevation.
· Blog: Average Elevation by State — where New Mexico’s 5,774 ft (1,760 m) mean ranks.
· Blog: Elevation vs Altitude — what a city’s elevation figure actually measures.

Albuquerque’s elevation is a native ~30 m windowed-median sample from Copernicus GLO-30 (ESA); the New Mexico figures are computed across the state from the same model. The 3D view is a fine windowed sample at roughly 203 m resolution, sharp enough to resolve the surrounding ridgelines. Data as of 2026-08-17.