Cape Coral 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)
Cape Coral, FL
Florida · Population: 206,387
- Median HH Income$76,062
- Median Home Price$339,638
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+25.7%
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
Cape Coral
206,387
Cape Coral +
Las Cruces
112,612
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cape Coral
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
Median Age
Cape Coral
48.7
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Foreign Born
Cape Coral
17.9%
Cape Coral +
Las Cruces
10.1%
White
Cape Coral
72.9%
Cape Coral +
Las Cruces
54.1%
Black
Cape Coral
4.5%
Cape Coral +
Las Cruces
2.6%
Asian
Cape Coral
1.6%
Las Cruces
1.9%
Las Cruces +
Hispanic
Cape Coral
25.1%
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Spanish at Home
Cape Coral
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 206,387 | 112,612 | Cape Coral + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.7 | 32.7 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 17.9% | 10.1% | Cape Coral + |
| White | 72.9% | 54.1% | Cape Coral + |
| Black | 4.5% | 2.6% | Cape Coral + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 1.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Hispanic | 25.1% | 59.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cape Coral
$76,062
Cape Coral +
Las Cruces
$55,176
Per Capita Income
Cape Coral
$39,603
Cape Coral +
Las Cruces
$30,804
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cape Coral
$65,328
Cape Coral +
Las Cruces
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Cape Coral
4.1%
Cape Coral +
Las Cruces
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Cape Coral
9.8%
Cape Coral +
Las Cruces
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cape Coral
25.7%
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,062 | $55,176 | Cape Coral + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,603 | $30,804 | Cape Coral + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $53,141 | Cape Coral + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 7.4% | Cape Coral + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.8% | 22.0% | Cape Coral + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.7% | 37.3% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cape Coral
$339,638
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Homeownership Rate
Cape Coral
77.7%
Cape Coral +
Las Cruces
55.6%
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $339,638 | $290,963 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 77.7% | 55.6% | Cape Coral + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
324
Cape Coral +
Las Cruces
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
1453
Cape Coral +
Las Cruces
3177
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 834 | Cape Coral + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 3177 | Cape Coral + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
30.6%
Cape Coral +
Las Cruces
35.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
13.4%
Las Cruces
13.0%
Las Cruces +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cape Coral
15.5%
Cape Coral +
Las Cruces
15.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
14.4%
Cape Coral +
Las Cruces
17.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
15.1%
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
12.6%
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 35.4% | Cape Coral + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 13.0% | Las Cruces + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 15.8% | Cape Coral + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 17.7% | Cape Coral + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 14.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.1% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cape Coral
N/A
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cape Coral
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Cape Coral, 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.)
Cape Coral
7.2 µg/m³
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cape Coral
75.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cape Coral, 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
Cape Coral
31.1 min
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 20.5 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cape Coral leads in median household income at $76,062, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Cape Coral is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Cape Coral has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cape Coral scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
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