There are many differences between the Aztec and Inca cultures. Even though both cultures are from the Americas, the Aztecs were located in Central America and the Inca, in South America.

Though the Aztec and Inca empires ended around the same time, the Aztecs ruled much longer than the Incas. The reign of the Aztecs lasted between around 1325-1521, nearly 200 years. That is about 100 years longer than that of the Inca, which lasted between around 1438-1532.

Construction between the Inca and Aztec was different. The Inca pyramids were constructed out of mud bricks, whereas the Aztec pyramids were constructed from limestone blocks. The Inca only built temples on the top of their pyramids since they were located in the Andes in South America. The Aztec were in the Mexico Valley, so they built smaller pyramids and platforms for other buildings as well.

The major methods of farming between the Aztec and Inca were very different. Aztec crops relied mainly on the construction of chinampas, also known as floating gardens. They achieved this by creating woven mats placed in the swamps. Mud was then piled on top of these mats, creating channels between them in the swamp. Posts and a woven framework were built around the mats, and trees were planted on the corners to anchor the garden. Crops were then planted on these floating gardens. Common Aztec crops included: maize (corn), tomatoes, cotton, chilies, chocolate, squash, beans, avocados, guava, and maguey (also known as agave). The domesticated animals of the Aztec were dogs and turkeys.

The Inca method of cultivation was very different. Since the Inca were located in the Andes, the environment was very harsh. The Inca planted their crops on artificial terraces along the mountainside with raised beds so that the plant roots could get as much warmth from the sun as possible to help them grow. They used fertilizers made out of sardine and anchovies. The crops they planted include: maize (corn), tomatoes, cotton, chilies, chocolate, oca, quinoa, amaranth, potatoes, and sweet potatoes. The animals they domesticated included dogs, guinea pigs, llamas, and alpacas. The Inca were also greatly involved in fishing. The Inca had fisheries along the coast. Some of the fish they used included anchovies, sardines, and candlefish. The candlefish is so rich in fat that when dried, a wick can be placed in it, and it will burn just like a candle.

Another difference between the Aztec and the Inca is that the Aztec had a written language and the Inca did not. This is evident by the existence of the Aztec codices. The Inca did, however, have a method for recording numbers by using a device called a quipu. A quipu is essentially a bundle of strings with knots in them. The knots are made in different ways and placed at different intervals down the length of a string. The type and placement of a knot indicates a number.

Unlike the Inca, the Aztecs maintained roads throughout the empire. The Aztec did not use any method of transportation other than walking, so rest stops and latrines were placed at reasonable intervals along the roads. The Aztec army also patrolled and protected the roads, so they were safe enough for women to travel alone.

The Aztec and the Inca might have shared the same hemisphere, but the short distance between the Aztec empire in Central America and the Inca empire in South America created many differences between the two cultures.