Baton Rouge LA 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)
Baton Rouge, LA
Louisiana · Population: 223,699
- Median HH Income$49,944
- Median Home Price$231,011
- Unemployment9.0%
- Bachelor's+35.8%
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
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Las Cruces
112,612
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Las Cruces
32.7
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Las Cruces
10.1%
Las Cruces +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Las Cruces
2.6%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Las Cruces
1.9%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 112,612 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 32.7 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 10.1% | Las Cruces + |
| White | 36.2% | 54.1% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 51.0% | 2.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 1.9% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 59.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Las Cruces
$55,176
Las Cruces +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Baton Rouge +
Las Cruces
$30,804
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Baton Rouge +
Las Cruces
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Las Cruces
7.4%
Las Cruces +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Las Cruces
22.0%
Las Cruces +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $55,176 | Las Cruces + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $30,804 | Baton Rouge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $53,141 | Baton Rouge + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 7.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 22.0% | Las Cruces + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 37.3% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Las Cruces
$290,963
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $290,963 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 55.6% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Baton Rouge +
Las Cruces
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Baton Rouge +
Las Cruces
3177
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 834 | Baton Rouge + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 3177 | Baton Rouge + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Cruces +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Las Cruces
13.0%
Las Cruces +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Las Cruces
17.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 35.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.0% | Las Cruces + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 15.8% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 17.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.1% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 20.5 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Cruces leads in median household income at $55,176, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Baton Rouge is safer with a violent crime rate of 643 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). For overall health outcomes, Las Cruces scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.4%.
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