Albuquerque NM vs Cary NC — 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%
Cary, NC
North Carolina · Population: 176,686
- Median HH Income$129,399
- Median Home Price$629,864
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+70.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Cary
176,686
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Cary
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Albuquerque +
Cary
39.8
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Cary
23.7%
Cary +
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Cary
60.1%
Cary +
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Cary
7.6%
Cary +
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Cary
20.4%
Cary +
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Cary
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Cary
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 176,686 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 39.8 | Albuquerque + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 23.7% | Cary + |
| White | 55.3% | 60.1% | Cary + |
| Black | 3.3% | 7.6% | Cary + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 20.4% | Cary + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 9.3% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Cary
$129,399
Cary +
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Cary
$64,590
Cary +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Cary
$59,120
Cary +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Cary
3.4%
Cary +
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Cary
70.2%
Cary +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $129,399 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $64,590 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $59,120 | Cary + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 3.4% | Cary + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 5.3% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 70.2% | Cary + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Albuquerque +
Cary
$629,864
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Cary
66.3%
Cary +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $629,864 | Albuquerque + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 66.3% | Cary + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Cary
398
Cary +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Cary
1999
Cary +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 398 | Cary + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1999 | Cary + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Cary
25.3%
Cary +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Cary
8.6%
Cary +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Cary
12.8%
Cary +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Cary
6.2%
Cary +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Cary
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Cary
7.7%
Cary +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 25.3% | Cary + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 8.6% | Cary + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 12.8% | Cary + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 6.2% | Cary + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.3% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 7.7% | Cary + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Albuquerque +
Cary
59.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Albuquerque +
Cary
46.3 in
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 59.4°F | Albuquerque + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 46.3 in | Albuquerque + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Cary
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Albuquerque +
Cary
24.3 min
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 24.3 min | Albuquerque + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cary leads in median household income at $129,399, while albuquerque offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $346,496. On public safety, Cary is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Albuquerque. Cary has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Albuquerque has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cary scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.3%.
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