Cheyenne WY 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)
Cheyenne, WY
Wyoming · Population: 58,754
- Median HH Income$69,171
- Median Home Price$388,590
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+30.0%
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
Cheyenne
58,754
Las Cruces
112,612
Las Cruces +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cheyenne
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
Median Age
Cheyenne
37.0
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Foreign Born
Cheyenne
2.1%
Las Cruces
10.1%
Las Cruces +
White
Cheyenne
89.9%
Cheyenne +
Las Cruces
54.1%
Black
Cheyenne
0.6%
Las Cruces
2.6%
Las Cruces +
Asian
Cheyenne
0.5%
Las Cruces
1.9%
Las Cruces +
Hispanic
Cheyenne
8.9%
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Spanish at Home
Cheyenne
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 58,754 | 112,612 | Las Cruces + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 32.7 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 2.1% | 10.1% | Las Cruces + |
| White | 89.9% | 54.1% | Cheyenne + |
| Black | 0.6% | 2.6% | Las Cruces + |
| Asian | 0.5% | 1.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Hispanic | 8.9% | 59.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cheyenne
$69,171
Cheyenne +
Las Cruces
$55,176
Per Capita Income
Cheyenne
$41,460
Cheyenne +
Las Cruces
$30,804
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cheyenne
$77,800
Cheyenne +
Las Cruces
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Cheyenne
3.9%
Cheyenne +
Las Cruces
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Cheyenne
11.2%
Cheyenne +
Las Cruces
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cheyenne
30.0%
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,171 | $55,176 | Cheyenne + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,460 | $30,804 | Cheyenne + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,800 | $53,141 | Cheyenne + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 7.4% | Cheyenne + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.2% | 22.0% | Cheyenne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.0% | 37.3% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cheyenne
$388,590
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Homeownership Rate
Cheyenne
70.3%
Cheyenne +
Las Cruces
55.6%
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $388,590 | $290,963 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 70.3% | 55.6% | Cheyenne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cheyenne
222
Cheyenne +
Las Cruces
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cheyenne
1522
Cheyenne +
Las Cruces
3177
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 222 | 834 | Cheyenne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1522 | 3177 | Cheyenne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
33.9%
Cheyenne +
Las Cruces
35.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
10.6%
Cheyenne +
Las Cruces
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cheyenne
16.2%
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
12.4%
Cheyenne +
Las Cruces
17.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
14.2%
Cheyenne +
Las Cruces
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
13.3%
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 35.4% | Cheyenne + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 13.0% | Cheyenne + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 15.8% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 17.7% | Cheyenne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 14.9% | Cheyenne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 12.1% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cheyenne
46.3°F
Cheyenne +
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cheyenne
16.3 in
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | 58.8°F | Cheyenne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cheyenne
3.9 µg/m³
Cheyenne +
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cheyenne
75.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 3.9 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Cheyenne + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cheyenne
17.8 min
Cheyenne +
Las Cruces
20.5 min
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.8 min | 20.5 min | Cheyenne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cheyenne leads in median household income at $69,171, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Cheyenne is safer with a violent crime rate of 222 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Cheyenne has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Cheyenne has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 3.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cheyenne scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.9%.
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