Albuquerque NM vs Greensboro 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%
Greensboro, NC
North Carolina · Population: 298,564
- Median HH Income$58,884
- Median Home Price$265,214
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+39.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Greensboro
298,564
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Greensboro
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Greensboro
34.1
Greensboro +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Greensboro
12.7%
Greensboro +
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Albuquerque +
Greensboro
40.4%
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Greensboro
42.2%
Greensboro +
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Greensboro
5.0%
Greensboro +
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Greensboro
10.4%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Greensboro
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 298,564 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 34.1 | Greensboro + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 12.7% | Greensboro + |
| White | 55.3% | 40.4% | Albuquerque + |
| Black | 3.3% | 42.2% | Greensboro + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 5.0% | Greensboro + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 10.4% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Albuquerque +
Greensboro
$58,884
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Albuquerque +
Greensboro
$35,858
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Greensboro
$59,120
Greensboro +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Greensboro
5.1%
Greensboro +
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Albuquerque +
Greensboro
18.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Greensboro
39.9%
Greensboro +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $58,884 | Albuquerque + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $35,858 | Albuquerque + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $59,120 | Greensboro + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.1% | Greensboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 18.4% | Albuquerque + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 39.9% | Greensboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Greensboro
$265,214
Greensboro +
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Albuquerque +
Greensboro
50.3%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $265,214 | Greensboro + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 50.3% | Albuquerque + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Greensboro
398
Greensboro +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Greensboro
1999
Greensboro +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 398 | Greensboro + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1999 | Greensboro + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Albuquerque +
Greensboro
39.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Albuquerque +
Greensboro
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Albuquerque +
Greensboro
18.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Greensboro
11.5%
Greensboro +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Greensboro
13.6%
Greensboro +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Albuquerque +
Greensboro
13.5%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 39.1% | Albuquerque + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 12.2% | Albuquerque + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 18.0% | Albuquerque + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 11.5% | Greensboro + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 13.6% | Greensboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 13.5% | Albuquerque + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Albuquerque +
Greensboro
59.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Albuquerque +
Greensboro
42.2 in
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 59.1°F | Albuquerque + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 42.2 in | Albuquerque + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Greensboro
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Greensboro
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Greensboro, 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
Greensboro
23.4 min
Greensboro +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 23.4 min | Greensboro + |
Which City is Right for You?
Albuquerque leads in median household income at $65,604, while greensboro offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,214. On public safety, Greensboro is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Albuquerque. Greensboro has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
Albuquerque, NM vs New York, NYAlbuquerque, NM vs Los Angeles, CAAlbuquerque, NM vs Chicago, ILAlbuquerque, NM vs Houston, TXAlbuquerque, NM vs Phoenix, AZAlbuquerque, NM vs Philadelphia, PA