Albuquerque NM vs Durham 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%
Durham, NC
North Carolina · Population: 288,465
- Median HH Income$79,234
- Median Home Price$399,509
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+55.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Durham
288,465
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Durham
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Durham
34.8
Durham +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Durham
15.3%
Durham +
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Albuquerque +
Durham
44.0%
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Durham
5.6%
Durham +
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Durham
14.7%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Durham
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 288,465 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 34.8 | Durham + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 15.3% | Durham + |
| White | 55.3% | 44.0% | Albuquerque + |
| Black | 3.3% | 34.4% | Durham + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 5.6% | Durham + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 14.7% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Durham
$79,234
Durham +
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Durham
$59,120
Durham +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Durham
12.2%
Durham +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $79,234 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $47,246 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $59,120 | Durham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.2% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 12.2% | Durham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 55.7% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Albuquerque +
Durham
$399,509
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Albuquerque +
Durham
51.8%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $399,509 | Albuquerque + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 51.8% | Albuquerque + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Durham
398
Durham +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Durham
1999
Durham +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 398 | Durham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1999 | Durham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Albuquerque +
Durham
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Durham
10.2%
Durham +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Durham
16.2%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Durham
10.7%
Durham +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Durham
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 36.8% | Albuquerque + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 10.2% | Durham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 16.2% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 10.7% | Durham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.6% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 11.2% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Albuquerque +
Durham
57.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Albuquerque +
Durham
47.8 in
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 57.9°F | Albuquerque + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 47.8 in | Albuquerque + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Durham
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Durham, 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 +
Durham
24.3 min
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 24.3 min | Albuquerque + |
Which City is Right for You?
Durham leads in median household income at $79,234, while albuquerque offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $346,496. On public safety, Durham is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Albuquerque. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Albuquerque has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Albuquerque scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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