Akron OH vs Las Cruces NM — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Akron, OH
Ohio · Population: 189,526
- Median HH Income$48,544
- Median Home Price$140,512
- Unemployment8.0%
- Bachelor's+23.3%
Las Cruces, NM
New Mexico · Population: 112,612
- Median HH Income$55,176
- Median Home Price$290,963
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+37.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Akron +
Las Cruces
112,612
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Las Cruces
10.1%
Las Cruces +
White
Akron
56.1%
Akron +
Las Cruces
54.1%
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
Las Cruces
2.6%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Akron +
Las Cruces
1.9%
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 112,612 | Akron + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 32.7 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 10.1% | Las Cruces + |
| White | 56.1% | 54.1% | Akron + |
| Black | 29.4% | 2.6% | Akron + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 1.9% | Akron + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 59.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Las Cruces
$55,176
Las Cruces +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Las Cruces
$30,804
Las Cruces +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Akron +
Las Cruces
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Las Cruces
7.4%
Las Cruces +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Las Cruces
22.0%
Las Cruces +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $55,176 | Las Cruces + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $30,804 | Las Cruces + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $53,141 | Akron + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 7.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 22.0% | Las Cruces + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 37.3% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Las Cruces
$290,963
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $290,963 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 55.6% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
Las Cruces
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Akron +
Las Cruces
3177
| Metric | Akron, OH | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 834 | Akron + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 3177 | Akron + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Cruces +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Las Cruces
13.0%
Las Cruces +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Akron +
Las Cruces
17.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Las Cruces
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 35.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 13.0% | Las Cruces + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 15.8% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 17.7% | Akron + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 14.9% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 12.1% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Akron +
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 58.8°F | Akron + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Las Cruces + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 20.5 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Cruces leads in median household income at $55,176, while akron offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $140,512. On public safety, Akron is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Las Cruces has a lower unemployment rate at 7.4%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Las Cruces scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.4%.
Compare More Cities
Akron, OH vs New York, NYAkron, OH vs Los Angeles, CAAkron, OH vs Chicago, ILAkron, OH vs Houston, TXAkron, OH vs Phoenix, AZAkron, OH vs Philadelphia, PA