Albuquerque NM vs High Point 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%
High Point, NC
North Carolina · Population: 115,263
- Median HH Income$61,228
- Median Home Price$251,699
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+33.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
High Point
115,263
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
High Point
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
High Point
37.8
High Point +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Albuquerque +
High Point
46.1%
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
High Point
32.7%
High Point +
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
High Point
8.2%
High Point +
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
High Point
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
High Point
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 115,263 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 37.8 | High Point + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 14.2% | High Point + |
| White | 55.3% | 46.1% | Albuquerque + |
| Black | 3.3% | 32.7% | High Point + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 8.2% | High Point + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 12.3% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Albuquerque +
High Point
$61,228
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Albuquerque +
High Point
$34,492
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
High Point
$59,120
High Point +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Albuquerque +
High Point
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
High Point
14.7%
High Point +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Albuquerque +
High Point
33.9%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $61,228 | Albuquerque + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $34,492 | Albuquerque + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $59,120 | High Point + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.6% | Albuquerque + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 14.7% | High Point + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 33.9% | Albuquerque + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
High Point
$251,699
High Point +
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Albuquerque +
High Point
58.1%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $251,699 | High Point + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 58.1% | Albuquerque + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
High Point
398
High Point +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
High Point
1999
High Point +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 398 | High Point + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1999 | High Point + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Albuquerque +
High Point
37.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Albuquerque +
High Point
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Albuquerque +
High Point
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
High Point
11.8%
High Point +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
High Point
13.5%
High Point +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Albuquerque +
High Point
14.2%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 37.7% | Albuquerque + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 13.0% | Albuquerque + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 17.2% | Albuquerque + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 11.8% | High Point + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 13.5% | High Point + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 14.2% | Albuquerque + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Albuquerque +
High Point
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Albuquerque +
High Point
46.1 in
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 60.6°F | Albuquerque + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 46.1 in | Albuquerque + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
High Point
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | High Point, 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
High Point
22.7 min
High Point +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 22.7 min | High Point + |
Which City is Right for You?
Albuquerque leads in median household income at $65,604, while high Point offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,699. On public safety, High Point is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Albuquerque. Albuquerque has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, 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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