Albuquerque NM 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)
Albuquerque, NM
New Mexico · Population: 562,488
- Median HH Income$65,604
- Median Home Price$346,496
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+38.6%
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
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Las Cruces
112,612
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Albuquerque +
Las Cruces
10.1%
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Albuquerque +
Las Cruces
54.1%
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Albuquerque +
Las Cruces
2.6%
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Albuquerque +
Las Cruces
1.9%
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 112,612 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 32.7 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 10.1% | Albuquerque + |
| White | 55.3% | 54.1% | Albuquerque + |
| Black | 3.3% | 2.6% | Albuquerque + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 1.9% | Albuquerque + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 59.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Albuquerque +
Las Cruces
$55,176
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Albuquerque +
Las Cruces
$30,804
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Las Cruces
$53,141
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Albuquerque +
Las Cruces
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Albuquerque +
Las Cruces
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Albuquerque +
Las Cruces
37.3%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $55,176 | Albuquerque + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $30,804 | Albuquerque + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $53,141 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 7.4% | Albuquerque + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 22.0% | Albuquerque + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 37.3% | Albuquerque + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Albuquerque +
Las Cruces
55.6%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $290,963 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 55.6% | Albuquerque + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Las Cruces
834
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Las Cruces
3177
Tie
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 834 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 3177 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Albuquerque +
Las Cruces
35.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Albuquerque +
Las Cruces
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Albuquerque +
Las Cruces
17.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Las Cruces
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 35.4% | Albuquerque + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 13.0% | Albuquerque + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 15.8% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 17.7% | Albuquerque + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.9% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.1% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Albuquerque +
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 58.8°F | Albuquerque + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 20.5 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Albuquerque leads in median household income at $65,604, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Las Cruces is safer with a violent crime rate of 834 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Albuquerque. Albuquerque has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Las Cruces 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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