Atlanta GA 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)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
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
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Las Cruces
112,612
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Las Cruces
10.1%
Las Cruces +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Las Cruces
2.6%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Atlanta +
Las Cruces
1.9%
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 112,612 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 32.7 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 10.1% | Las Cruces + |
| White | 39.9% | 54.1% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 46.9% | 2.6% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 1.9% | Atlanta + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 59.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
Las Cruces
$55,176
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Las Cruces
$30,804
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Atlanta +
Las Cruces
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Atlanta +
Las Cruces
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Atlanta +
Las Cruces
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Las Cruces
37.3%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $55,176 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $30,804 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $53,141 | Atlanta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 7.4% | Atlanta + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 22.0% | Atlanta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 37.3% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $290,963 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 55.6% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Atlanta +
Las Cruces
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Atlanta +
Las Cruces
3177
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 834 | Atlanta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 3177 | Atlanta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
Las Cruces
35.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Atlanta +
Las Cruces
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Atlanta +
Las Cruces
17.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
Las Cruces
12.1%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 35.4% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 13.0% | Atlanta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 15.8% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 17.7% | Atlanta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 14.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 12.1% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Las Cruces + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Atlanta
28.7 min
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 20.5 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Atlanta leads in median household income at $81,938, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Atlanta is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Atlanta has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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