Bakersfield 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)
Bakersfield, CA
California · Population: 408,366
- Median HH Income$77,397
- Median Home Price$396,712
- Unemployment7.0%
- 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
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Las Cruces
112,612
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Las Cruces
32.7
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Las Cruces
10.1%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Bakersfield +
Las Cruces
2.6%
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Las Cruces
1.9%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 112,612 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 32.7 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 10.1% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 54.1% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 6.2% | 2.6% | Bakersfield + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 1.9% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 59.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
Las Cruces
$55,176
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Bakersfield +
Las Cruces
$30,804
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Las Cruces
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Bakersfield +
Las Cruces
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Bakersfield +
Las Cruces
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $55,176 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $30,804 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $53,141 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 7.4% | Bakersfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 22.0% | Bakersfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 37.3% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bakersfield +
Las Cruces
55.6%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $290,963 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 55.6% | Bakersfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Bakersfield +
Las Cruces
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Bakersfield +
Las Cruces
3177
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 834 | Bakersfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3177 | Bakersfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Bakersfield +
Las Cruces
35.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Bakersfield +
Las Cruces
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Bakersfield +
Las Cruces
17.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 35.4% | Bakersfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 13.0% | Bakersfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 15.8% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 17.7% | Bakersfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 14.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 12.1% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Las Cruces +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 58.8°F | Las Cruces + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, 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
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 20.5 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bakersfield leads in median household income at $77,397, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Bakersfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Bakersfield has a lower unemployment rate at 7.0%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bakersfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
Compare More Cities
Bakersfield, CA vs New York, NYBakersfield, CA vs Los Angeles, CABakersfield, CA vs Chicago, ILBakersfield, CA vs Houston, TXBakersfield, CA vs Phoenix, AZBakersfield, CA vs Philadelphia, PA