Boca Raton FL 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)
Boca Raton, FL
Florida · Population: 98,833
- Median HH Income$102,722
- Median Home Price$562,670
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+60.4%
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
Boca Raton
98,833
Las Cruces
112,612
Las Cruces +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boca Raton
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
Median Age
Boca Raton
45.8
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Foreign Born
Boca Raton
20.0%
Boca Raton +
Las Cruces
10.1%
White
Boca Raton
77.2%
Boca Raton +
Las Cruces
54.1%
Black
Boca Raton
5.7%
Boca Raton +
Las Cruces
2.6%
Asian
Boca Raton
3.0%
Boca Raton +
Las Cruces
1.9%
Hispanic
Boca Raton
15.4%
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Spanish at Home
Boca Raton
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,833 | 112,612 | Las Cruces + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 45.8 | 32.7 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | 10.1% | Boca Raton + |
| White | 77.2% | 54.1% | Boca Raton + |
| Black | 5.7% | 2.6% | Boca Raton + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 1.9% | Boca Raton + |
| Hispanic | 15.4% | 59.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boca Raton
$102,722
Boca Raton +
Las Cruces
$55,176
Per Capita Income
Boca Raton
$72,542
Boca Raton +
Las Cruces
$30,804
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boca Raton
$65,328
Boca Raton +
Las Cruces
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Boca Raton
5.9%
Boca Raton +
Las Cruces
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Boca Raton
9.4%
Boca Raton +
Las Cruces
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boca Raton
60.4%
Boca Raton +
Las Cruces
37.3%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $102,722 | $55,176 | Boca Raton + |
| Per Capita Income | $72,542 | $30,804 | Boca Raton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $53,141 | Boca Raton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 7.4% | Boca Raton + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.4% | 22.0% | Boca Raton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.4% | 37.3% | Boca Raton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boca Raton
$562,670
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Homeownership Rate
Boca Raton
65.8%
Boca Raton +
Las Cruces
55.6%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $562,670 | $290,963 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 55.6% | Boca Raton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
324
Boca Raton +
Las Cruces
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
1453
Boca Raton +
Las Cruces
3177
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 834 | Boca Raton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 3177 | Boca Raton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
23.2%
Boca Raton +
Las Cruces
35.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
10.4%
Boca Raton +
Las Cruces
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boca Raton
14.3%
Boca Raton +
Las Cruces
15.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
9.7%
Boca Raton +
Las Cruces
17.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
14.7%
Boca Raton +
Las Cruces
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
8.8%
Boca Raton +
Las Cruces
12.1%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.2% | 35.4% | Boca Raton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 13.0% | Boca Raton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.3% | 15.8% | Boca Raton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 17.7% | Boca Raton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 14.9% | Boca Raton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 12.1% | Boca Raton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boca Raton
N/A
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boca Raton
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
7.2 µg/m³
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boca Raton
75.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boca Raton
23.4 min
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 20.5 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boca Raton leads in median household income at $102,722, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Boca Raton is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Boca Raton has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boca Raton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.2%.
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