Anaheim CA 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)
Anaheim, CA
California · Population: 344,553
- Median HH Income$90,583
- Median Home Price$952,227
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
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
Anaheim
344,553
Anaheim +
Las Cruces
112,612
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anaheim
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
Median Age
Anaheim
35.9
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Foreign Born
Anaheim
35.2%
Anaheim +
Las Cruces
10.1%
White
Anaheim
41.2%
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
Black
Anaheim
2.5%
Las Cruces
2.6%
Las Cruces +
Asian
Anaheim
18.6%
Anaheim +
Las Cruces
1.9%
Hispanic
Anaheim
52.5%
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Spanish at Home
Anaheim
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 344,553 | 112,612 | Anaheim + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 32.7 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 35.2% | 10.1% | Anaheim + |
| White | 41.2% | 54.1% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 2.5% | 2.6% | Las Cruces + |
| Asian | 18.6% | 1.9% | Anaheim + |
| Hispanic | 52.5% | 59.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anaheim
$90,583
Anaheim +
Las Cruces
$55,176
Per Capita Income
Anaheim
$36,541
Anaheim +
Las Cruces
$30,804
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anaheim
$77,230
Anaheim +
Las Cruces
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Anaheim
5.5%
Anaheim +
Las Cruces
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Anaheim
12.5%
Anaheim +
Las Cruces
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Anaheim
28.7%
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,583 | $55,176 | Anaheim + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,541 | $30,804 | Anaheim + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $53,141 | Anaheim + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 7.4% | Anaheim + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.5% | 22.0% | Anaheim + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.7% | 37.3% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anaheim
$952,227
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Homeownership Rate
Anaheim
45.9%
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $952,227 | $290,963 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.9% | 55.6% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anaheim
503
Anaheim +
Las Cruces
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anaheim
2388
Anaheim +
Las Cruces
3177
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 834 | Anaheim + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3177 | Anaheim + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
26.8%
Anaheim +
Las Cruces
35.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
12.2%
Anaheim +
Las Cruces
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anaheim
18.0%
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
14.7%
Anaheim +
Las Cruces
17.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
15.4%
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
11.0%
Anaheim +
Las Cruces
12.1%
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.8% | 35.4% | Anaheim + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 13.0% | Anaheim + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 15.8% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 17.7% | Anaheim + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 14.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 12.1% | Anaheim + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anaheim
67.1°F
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Las Cruces +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anaheim
13.4 in
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.1°F | 58.8°F | Las Cruces + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anaheim
7.9 µg/m³
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anaheim
75.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anaheim
30.6 min
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.6 min | 20.5 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Anaheim leads in median household income at $90,583, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Anaheim is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Anaheim has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Anaheim scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.8%.
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