Charleston SC 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)
Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 152,014
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$593,739
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+57.7%
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
Charleston
152,014
Charleston +
Las Cruces
112,612
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Las Cruces
10.1%
Las Cruces +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Las Cruces
54.1%
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Las Cruces
2.6%
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Charleston +
Las Cruces
1.9%
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 112,612 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 32.7 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 10.1% | Las Cruces + |
| White | 72.9% | 54.1% | Charleston + |
| Black | 17.4% | 2.6% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 1.9% | Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 59.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Las Cruces
$55,176
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Las Cruces
$30,804
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Charleston +
Las Cruces
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Las Cruces
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
Las Cruces
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Las Cruces
37.3%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $55,176 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $30,804 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $53,141 | Charleston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 7.4% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 22.0% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 37.3% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Charleston +
Las Cruces
55.6%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $290,963 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 55.6% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Las Cruces
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Las Cruces
3177
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 834 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3177 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Las Cruces
35.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Las Cruces
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
Las Cruces
15.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Las Cruces
17.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Las Cruces
12.1%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 35.4% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 13.0% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 15.8% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 17.7% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 14.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 12.1% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Las Cruces +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 58.8°F | Las Cruces + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 20.5 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.7%.
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