Chula Vista CA 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)
Chula Vista, CA
California · Population: 8,933
- Median HH Income$104,238
- Median Home Price$849,245
- Unemployment2.2%
- Bachelor's+26.9%
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
Chula Vista
8,933
Las Cruces
112,612
Las Cruces +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chula Vista
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
Median Age
Chula Vista
42.9
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Foreign Born
Chula Vista
20.0%
Chula Vista +
Las Cruces
10.1%
White
Chula Vista
65.7%
Chula Vista +
Las Cruces
54.1%
Black
Chula Vista
0.7%
Las Cruces
2.6%
Las Cruces +
Asian
Chula Vista
0.7%
Las Cruces
1.9%
Las Cruces +
Hispanic
Chula Vista
36.5%
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Spanish at Home
Chula Vista
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,933 | 112,612 | Las Cruces + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 32.7 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | 10.1% | Chula Vista + |
| White | 65.7% | 54.1% | Chula Vista + |
| Black | 0.7% | 2.6% | Las Cruces + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 1.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Hispanic | 36.5% | 59.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chula Vista
$104,238
Chula Vista +
Las Cruces
$55,176
Per Capita Income
Chula Vista
$49,562
Chula Vista +
Las Cruces
$30,804
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chula Vista
$77,230
Chula Vista +
Las Cruces
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Chula Vista
2.2%
Chula Vista +
Las Cruces
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Chula Vista
4.5%
Chula Vista +
Las Cruces
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chula Vista
26.9%
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,238 | $55,176 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,562 | $30,804 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $53,141 | Chula Vista + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.2% | 7.4% | Chula Vista + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.5% | 22.0% | Chula Vista + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.9% | 37.3% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chula Vista
$849,245
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Homeownership Rate
Chula Vista
71.4%
Chula Vista +
Las Cruces
55.6%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,245 | $290,963 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.4% | 55.6% | Chula Vista + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
503
Chula Vista +
Las Cruces
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
2388
Chula Vista +
Las Cruces
3177
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 834 | Chula Vista + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3177 | Chula Vista + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
26.6%
Chula Vista +
Las Cruces
35.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
11.4%
Chula Vista +
Las Cruces
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chula Vista
16.0%
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
12.4%
Chula Vista +
Las Cruces
17.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
15.7%
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
9.6%
Chula Vista +
Las Cruces
12.1%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.6% | 35.4% | Chula Vista + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 13.0% | Chula Vista + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 15.8% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 17.7% | Chula Vista + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 14.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 12.1% | Chula Vista + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
63.5°F
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Las Cruces +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
9.8 in
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | 58.8°F | Las Cruces + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 9.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
7.9 µg/m³
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chula Vista
75.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chula Vista
26.9 min
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.9 min | 20.5 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chula Vista leads in median household income at $104,238, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Chula Vista is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Chula Vista has a lower unemployment rate at 2.2%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chula Vista scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.6%.
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