Augusta 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)
Augusta, GA
Georgia · Population: 201,504
- Median HH Income$53,134
- Median Home Price$177,114
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+24.2%
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
Augusta
201,504
Augusta +
Las Cruces
112,612
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Las Cruces
10.1%
Las Cruces +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Las Cruces
2.6%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Las Cruces
1.9%
Las Cruces +
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 112,612 | Augusta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 32.7 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 10.1% | Las Cruces + |
| White | 32.8% | 54.1% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 56.5% | 2.6% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 1.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 59.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Las Cruces
$55,176
Las Cruces +
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Las Cruces
$30,804
Las Cruces +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Augusta +
Las Cruces
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Las Cruces
7.4%
Las Cruces +
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Augusta +
Las Cruces
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $55,176 | Las Cruces + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $30,804 | Las Cruces + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $53,141 | Augusta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 7.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 22.0% | Augusta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 37.3% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Las Cruces
$290,963
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $290,963 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 55.6% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Augusta +
Las Cruces
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Augusta +
Las Cruces
3177
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 834 | Augusta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 3177 | Augusta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Las Cruces
35.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Las Cruces
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Las Cruces
15.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Las Cruces
17.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Las Cruces
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Las Cruces
12.1%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 35.4% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.0% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 15.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.9% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Las Cruces +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 58.8°F | Las Cruces + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Augusta, 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
Augusta
22.1 min
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 20.5 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Cruces leads in median household income at $55,176, while augusta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $177,114. On public safety, Augusta is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 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).
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