Carmel IN 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)
Carmel, IN
Indiana · Population: 100,501
- Median HH Income$134,602
- Median Home Price$570,592
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+74.5%
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
Carmel
100,501
Las Cruces
112,612
Las Cruces +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Carmel +
Las Cruces
10.1%
White
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Las Cruces
54.1%
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Las Cruces
2.6%
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Las Cruces
1.9%
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 112,612 | Las Cruces + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 32.7 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 10.1% | Carmel + |
| White | 77.5% | 54.1% | Carmel + |
| Black | 3.7% | 2.6% | Carmel + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 1.9% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 59.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Las Cruces
$55,176
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Las Cruces
$30,804
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Carmel +
Las Cruces
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Las Cruces
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Las Cruces
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
Las Cruces
37.3%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $55,176 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $30,804 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $53,141 | Carmel + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 7.4% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 22.0% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 37.3% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
Las Cruces
55.6%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $290,963 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 55.6% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Carmel +
Las Cruces
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Carmel +
Las Cruces
3177
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 834 | Carmel + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 3177 | Carmel + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Carmel +
Las Cruces
35.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Carmel +
Las Cruces
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
Las Cruces
15.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Las Cruces
17.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
Las Cruces
12.1%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 35.4% | Carmel + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 13.0% | Carmel + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 15.8% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 17.7% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 12.1% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Carmel +
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 58.8°F | Carmel + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Las Cruces + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 20.5 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Carmel is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Carmel scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.8%.
Compare More Cities
Carmel, IN vs New York, NYCarmel, IN vs Los Angeles, CACarmel, IN vs Chicago, ILCarmel, IN vs Houston, TXCarmel, IN vs Phoenix, AZCarmel, IN vs Philadelphia, PA