Albuquerque NM vs Carmel IN — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albuquerque, NM
New Mexico · Population: 562,488
- Median HH Income$65,604
- Median Home Price$346,496
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+38.6%
Carmel, IN
Indiana · Population: 100,501
- Median HH Income$134,602
- Median Home Price$570,592
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+74.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Carmel
100,501
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Carmel
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Albuquerque +
Carmel
40.5
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Carmel
12.9%
Carmel +
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Carmel
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Carmel
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 100,501 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 40.5 | Albuquerque + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 12.9% | Carmel + |
| White | 55.3% | 77.5% | Carmel + |
| Black | 3.3% | 3.7% | Carmel + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 11.6% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 5.0% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Carmel
$58,697
Carmel +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $134,602 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $71,546 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $58,697 | Carmel + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 2.7% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 3.7% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 74.5% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Albuquerque +
Carmel
$570,592
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $570,592 | Albuquerque + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 74.6% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Carmel
370
Carmel +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Carmel
1719
Carmel +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 370 | Carmel + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1719 | Carmel + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Carmel
30.8%
Carmel +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Carmel
9.6%
Carmel +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Carmel
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 30.8% | Carmel + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 9.6% | Carmel + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 12.5% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 4.4% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.2% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 8.2% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Carmel
51.6°F
Carmel +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Albuquerque +
Carmel
42.2 in
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 51.6°F | Carmel + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 42.2 in | Albuquerque + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Albuquerque +
Carmel
55.0%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Albuquerque + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Albuquerque +
Carmel
26.4 min
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 26.4 min | Albuquerque + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while albuquerque offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $346,496. On public safety, Carmel is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Albuquerque. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Albuquerque has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Carmel scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.8%.
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