Albuquerque NM vs Charleston SC — 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%
Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 152,014
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$593,739
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+57.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Charleston
152,014
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Charleston
36.1
Charleston +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Albuquerque +
Charleston
5.4%
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Albuquerque +
Charleston
2.2%
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Charleston
5.9%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 152,014 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 36.1 | Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 5.4% | Albuquerque + |
| White | 55.3% | 72.9% | Charleston + |
| Black | 3.3% | 17.4% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 2.2% | Albuquerque + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 5.9% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Charleston
$54,550
Charleston +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $90,038 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $58,583 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $54,550 | Charleston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 3.4% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 12.0% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 57.7% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Albuquerque +
Charleston
$593,739
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Albuquerque +
Charleston
55.6%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $593,739 | Albuquerque + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 55.6% | Albuquerque + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 398 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1999 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Charleston
22.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 28.7% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 9.5% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 15.1% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 8.7% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 22.9% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 9.5% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Albuquerque +
Charleston
65.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Albuquerque +
Charleston
51.0 in
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 65.9°F | Albuquerque + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 51.0 in | Albuquerque + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Charleston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Albuquerque +
Charleston
25.4 min
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 25.4 min | Albuquerque + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, while albuquerque offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $346,496. On public safety, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Albuquerque. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Albuquerque has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.7%.
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