Last time I checked almonds had a lower water use per calorie than most food crops out there. That's the statistic that actually matters in my opinion.

Almonds are also more nutrient-dense than wheat.

I was curious ratios, almonds are more dense but it's not a clear win by water usage. Almonds are about 2x the calories and protein per weight, 10x niacin, 24x vitamin E, but then even or less on things like zinc or folate. TIL.

And AFAIK, people don't eat mostly almonds or wheat anyway.

I'd bet a lot of unused almond and wheat meal goes to animal feed which is far less efficient than either of the inputs.

So the end effect or almonds vs another crop is diminished anyway.

I assumed almonds mostly went to almond milk?

This almond "drink" contains very little of the actual almond meal, it's 90% water, as opposed to the actual nut of the almond.

The pulp that's left after pressing is getting fed to livestock.

What do you suppose the buyers of the grapes and almonds do with them, if you think they aren't food?