Clearwater 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)
Clearwater, FL
Florida · Population: 117,075
- Median HH Income$64,440
- Median Home Price$341,503
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+32.5%
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
Clearwater
117,075
Clearwater +
Las Cruces
112,612
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Clearwater +
Las Cruces
10.1%
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
Las Cruces
54.1%
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Clearwater +
Las Cruces
2.6%
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Clearwater +
Las Cruces
1.9%
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 112,612 | Clearwater + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 32.7 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 10.1% | Clearwater + |
| White | 70.3% | 54.1% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 10.2% | 2.6% | Clearwater + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 1.9% | Clearwater + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 59.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Clearwater +
Las Cruces
$55,176
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Clearwater +
Las Cruces
$30,804
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Clearwater +
Las Cruces
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Clearwater +
Las Cruces
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Clearwater +
Las Cruces
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $55,176 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $30,804 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $53,141 | Clearwater + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 7.4% | Clearwater + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 22.0% | Clearwater + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 37.3% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Clearwater +
Las Cruces
55.6%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $290,963 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 55.6% | Clearwater + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Clearwater +
Las Cruces
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
Las Cruces
3177
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 834 | Clearwater + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 3177 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
Clearwater +
Las Cruces
35.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Las Cruces
13.0%
Las Cruces +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Clearwater +
Las Cruces
17.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 35.4% | Clearwater + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 13.0% | Las Cruces + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 15.8% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 17.7% | Clearwater + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.1% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Las Cruces +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | 58.8°F | Las Cruces + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clearwater, 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
Clearwater
25.3 min
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 20.5 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Clearwater leads in median household income at $64,440, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Clearwater is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Clearwater has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Clearwater scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.3%.
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