Bellingham WA 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)
Bellingham, WA
Washington · Population: 92,367
- Median HH Income$65,821
- Median Home Price$669,185
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+46.5%
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
Bellingham
92,367
Las Cruces
112,612
Las Cruces +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Las Cruces
10.1%
Las Cruces +
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Las Cruces
54.1%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Las Cruces
2.6%
Las Cruces +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Bellingham +
Las Cruces
1.9%
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 112,612 | Las Cruces + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 32.7 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 10.1% | Las Cruces + |
| White | 79.5% | 54.1% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 2.6% | Las Cruces + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 1.9% | Bellingham + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 59.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Bellingham +
Las Cruces
$55,176
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Bellingham +
Las Cruces
$30,804
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Las Cruces
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Bellingham +
Las Cruces
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Bellingham +
Las Cruces
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Bellingham +
Las Cruces
37.3%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $55,176 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $30,804 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $53,141 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 7.4% | Bellingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 22.0% | Bellingham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 37.3% | Bellingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $290,963 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 55.6% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Bellingham +
Las Cruces
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Las Cruces
3177
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 834 | Bellingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 3177 | Las Cruces + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Las Cruces
35.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Las Cruces
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Las Cruces
17.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
Las Cruces
12.1%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 35.4% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 13.0% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 15.8% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 17.7% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 14.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 12.1% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Bellingham +
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | 58.8°F | Bellingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
Las Cruces
20.5 min
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 20.5 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bellingham leads in median household income at $65,821, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Bellingham is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Bellingham has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bellingham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.0%.
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