Albuquerque NM vs Carrollton TX — 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%
Carrollton, TX
Texas · Population: 132,741
- Median HH Income$99,115
- Median Home Price$408,531
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Carrollton
132,741
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Carrollton
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Carrollton
38.4
Carrollton +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Carrollton
26.9%
Carrollton +
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Albuquerque +
Carrollton
52.1%
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Carrollton
9.2%
Carrollton +
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Carrollton
16.4%
Carrollton +
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Carrollton
31.8%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Carrollton
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Carrollton, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 132,741 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 38.4 | Carrollton + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 26.9% | Carrollton + |
| White | 55.3% | 52.1% | Albuquerque + |
| Black | 3.3% | 9.2% | Carrollton + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 16.4% | Carrollton + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 31.8% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Carrollton
$99,115
Carrollton +
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Carrollton
$50,000
Carrollton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Carrollton
$63,758
Carrollton +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Carrollton
3.2%
Carrollton +
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Carrollton
6.9%
Carrollton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Carrollton
43.3%
Carrollton +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Carrollton, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $99,115 | Carrollton + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $50,000 | Carrollton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $63,758 | Carrollton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 3.2% | Carrollton + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 6.9% | Carrollton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 43.3% | Carrollton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Albuquerque +
Carrollton
$408,531
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Albuquerque +
Carrollton
58.3%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Carrollton, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $408,531 | Albuquerque + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 58.3% | Albuquerque + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Carrollton
442
Carrollton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Carrollton
2339
Carrollton +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Carrollton, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 442 | Carrollton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2339 | Carrollton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Carrollton
32.2%
Carrollton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Carrollton
10.8%
Carrollton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Carrollton
15.3%
Carrollton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Albuquerque +
Carrollton
14.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Carrollton
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Carrollton
9.8%
Carrollton +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Carrollton, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 32.2% | Carrollton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 10.8% | Carrollton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 15.3% | Carrollton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 14.8% | Albuquerque + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.9% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 9.8% | Carrollton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Carrollton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Carrollton
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Carrollton, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Carrollton
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Albuquerque +
Carrollton
55.0%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Carrollton, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Albuquerque + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Albuquerque +
Carrollton
26.2 min
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Carrollton, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 26.2 min | Albuquerque + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carrollton leads in median household income at $99,115, while albuquerque offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $346,496. On public safety, Carrollton is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Albuquerque. Carrollton has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Albuquerque has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Carrollton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.2%.
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