Berkeley 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)
Berkeley, CA
California · Population: 120,223
- Median HH Income$108,558
- Median Home Price$1,451,222
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+75.0%
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
Berkeley
120,223
Berkeley +
Las Cruces
112,612
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
Las Cruces
10.1%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Berkeley +
Las Cruces
54.1%
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Las Cruces
2.6%
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Las Cruces
1.9%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 112,612 | Berkeley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 32.7 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 10.1% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 54.1% | Berkeley + |
| Black | 7.4% | 2.6% | Berkeley + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 1.9% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 59.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Las Cruces
$55,176
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Las Cruces
$30,804
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Las Cruces
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Berkeley +
Las Cruces
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Berkeley +
Las Cruces
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Las Cruces
37.3%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $55,176 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $30,804 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $53,141 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 7.4% | Berkeley + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 22.0% | Berkeley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 37.3% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $290,963 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 55.6% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Berkeley +
Las Cruces
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Berkeley +
Las Cruces
3177
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 834 | Berkeley + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3177 | Berkeley + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Las Cruces
35.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Las Cruces
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Las Cruces
17.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Las Cruces
12.1%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 35.4% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 13.0% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 15.8% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 17.7% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 12.1% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Berkeley +
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 58.8°F | Berkeley + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, 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
Berkeley
32.2 min
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 20.5 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Berkeley is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Berkeley has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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