Albuquerque NM vs Charlotte 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%
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Charlotte
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Charlotte
34.4
Charlotte +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Charlotte
18.1%
Charlotte +
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Albuquerque +
Charlotte
41.5%
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Charlotte
6.3%
Charlotte +
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Charlotte
17.0%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Charlotte
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 886,283 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 34.4 | Charlotte + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 18.1% | Charlotte + |
| White | 55.3% | 41.5% | Albuquerque + |
| Black | 3.3% | 34.1% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 6.3% | Charlotte + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 17.0% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Charlotte
$78,438
Charlotte +
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Charlotte
$59,120
Charlotte +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Charlotte
4.4%
Charlotte +
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Charlotte
11.7%
Charlotte +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $78,438 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $49,991 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $59,120 | Charlotte + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.4% | Charlotte + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 11.7% | Charlotte + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 47.4% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Albuquerque +
Charlotte
$399,070
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Albuquerque +
Charlotte
51.5%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $399,070 | Albuquerque + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 51.5% | Albuquerque + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Charlotte
398
Charlotte +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Charlotte
1999
Charlotte +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 398 | Charlotte + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1999 | Charlotte + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Charlotte
30.1%
Charlotte +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Charlotte
10.1%
Charlotte +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Albuquerque +
Charlotte
16.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Charlotte
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 30.1% | Charlotte + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 10.1% | Charlotte + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 16.4% | Albuquerque + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 11.4% | Charlotte + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.4% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 11.4% | Charlotte + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Albuquerque +
Charlotte
59.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Albuquerque +
Charlotte
41.6 in
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 59.9°F | Albuquerque + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 41.6 in | Albuquerque + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Charlotte
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Charlotte, 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 +
Charlotte
26.7 min
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 26.7 min | Albuquerque + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charlotte leads in median household income at $78,438, while albuquerque offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $346,496. On public safety, Charlotte is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Albuquerque. Charlotte has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Albuquerque has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charlotte scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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