Bend OR 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)
Bend, OR
Oregon · Population: 97,502
- Median HH Income$94,279
- Median Home Price$735,193
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+49.3%
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
Bend
97,502
Las Cruces
112,612
Las Cruces +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bend
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
Median Age
Bend
37.6
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Foreign Born
Bend
17.6%
Bend +
Las Cruces
10.1%
White
Bend
65.5%
Bend +
Las Cruces
54.1%
Black
Bend
2.8%
Bend +
Las Cruces
2.6%
Asian
Bend
11.4%
Bend +
Las Cruces
1.9%
Hispanic
Bend
17.3%
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Spanish at Home
Bend
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,502 | 112,612 | Las Cruces + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 32.7 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 17.6% | 10.1% | Bend + |
| White | 65.5% | 54.1% | Bend + |
| Black | 2.8% | 2.6% | Bend + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 1.9% | Bend + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 59.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bend
$94,279
Bend +
Las Cruces
$55,176
Per Capita Income
Bend
$51,659
Bend +
Las Cruces
$30,804
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bend
$63,691
Bend +
Las Cruces
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Bend
4.2%
Bend +
Las Cruces
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Bend
9.9%
Bend +
Las Cruces
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bend
49.3%
Bend +
Las Cruces
37.3%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,279 | $55,176 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,659 | $30,804 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $53,141 | Bend + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 7.4% | Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% | 22.0% | Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.3% | 37.3% | Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bend
$735,193
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Homeownership Rate
Bend
49.8%
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $735,193 | $290,963 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 55.6% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
355
Bend +
Las Cruces
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
3001
Bend +
Las Cruces
3177
| Metric | Bend, OR | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 834 | Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 3177 | Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
26.5%
Bend +
Las Cruces
35.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
8.9%
Bend +
Las Cruces
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bend
16.0%
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bend
6.5%
Bend +
Las Cruces
17.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bend
17.7%
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bend
10.0%
Bend +
Las Cruces
12.1%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.5% | 35.4% | Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 13.0% | Bend + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 15.8% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 17.7% | Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 14.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 12.1% | Bend + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
46.6°F
Bend +
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
11.4 in
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6°F | 58.8°F | Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bend
9.0 µg/m³
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bend
55.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Las Cruces + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bend
26.1 min
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 20.5 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bend leads in median household income at $94,279, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bend scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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