Baltimore MD 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)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
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
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Las Cruces
112,612
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Las Cruces
10.1%
Las Cruces +
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Las Cruces
2.6%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Baltimore +
Las Cruces
1.9%
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 112,612 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 32.7 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 10.1% | Las Cruces + |
| White | 27.4% | 54.1% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 60.0% | 2.6% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.9% | Baltimore + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 59.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Baltimore +
Las Cruces
$55,176
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Baltimore +
Las Cruces
$30,804
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Las Cruces
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Baltimore +
Las Cruces
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Baltimore +
Las Cruces
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $55,176 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $30,804 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $53,141 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 7.4% | Baltimore + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 22.0% | Baltimore + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 37.3% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Las Cruces
$290,963
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $290,963 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 55.6% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Baltimore +
Las Cruces
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
Las Cruces
3177
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 834 | Baltimore + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 3177 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Cruces +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Las Cruces
13.0%
Las Cruces +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Baltimore +
Las Cruces
17.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 35.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 13.0% | Las Cruces + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 15.8% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 17.7% | Baltimore + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 14.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.1% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Baltimore +
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 58.8°F | Baltimore + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 20.5 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Baltimore leads in median household income at $59,623, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Baltimore is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Baltimore has a lower unemployment rate at 6.6%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Las Cruces scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.4%.
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