Colorado Springs CO 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)
Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado · Population: 483,099
- Median HH Income$83,198
- Median Home Price$451,202
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
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
Colorado Springs
483,099
Colorado Springs +
Las Cruces
112,612
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Colorado Springs
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
Median Age
Colorado Springs
35.6
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Foreign Born
Colorado Springs
7.4%
Las Cruces
10.1%
Las Cruces +
White
Colorado Springs
72.3%
Colorado Springs +
Las Cruces
54.1%
Black
Colorado Springs
5.8%
Colorado Springs +
Las Cruces
2.6%
Asian
Colorado Springs
3.0%
Colorado Springs +
Las Cruces
1.9%
Hispanic
Colorado Springs
18.7%
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Spanish at Home
Colorado Springs
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 483,099 | 112,612 | Colorado Springs + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 32.7 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 10.1% | Las Cruces + |
| White | 72.3% | 54.1% | Colorado Springs + |
| Black | 5.8% | 2.6% | Colorado Springs + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 1.9% | Colorado Springs + |
| Hispanic | 18.7% | 59.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Colorado Springs
$83,198
Colorado Springs +
Las Cruces
$55,176
Per Capita Income
Colorado Springs
$44,893
Colorado Springs +
Las Cruces
$30,804
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Colorado Springs
$76,653
Colorado Springs +
Las Cruces
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Colorado Springs
5.5%
Colorado Springs +
Las Cruces
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Colorado Springs
9.3%
Colorado Springs +
Las Cruces
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Colorado Springs
41.9%
Colorado Springs +
Las Cruces
37.3%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,198 | $55,176 | Colorado Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,893 | $30,804 | Colorado Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $53,141 | Colorado Springs + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 7.4% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 22.0% | Colorado Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 37.3% | Colorado Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Colorado Springs
$451,202
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Homeownership Rate
Colorado Springs
61.3%
Colorado Springs +
Las Cruces
55.6%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $451,202 | $290,963 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.3% | 55.6% | Colorado Springs + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
512
Colorado Springs +
Las Cruces
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
3234
Las Cruces
3177
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 834 | Colorado Springs + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 3177 | Las Cruces + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
28.4%
Colorado Springs +
Las Cruces
35.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.0%
Colorado Springs +
Las Cruces
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Colorado Springs
18.0%
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.9%
Colorado Springs +
Las Cruces
17.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
16.5%
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
11.0%
Colorado Springs +
Las Cruces
12.1%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.4% | 35.4% | Colorado Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 13.0% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 15.8% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 17.7% | Colorado Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 12.1% | Colorado Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
49.0°F
Colorado Springs +
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
16.5 in
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.0°F | 58.8°F | Colorado Springs + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
6.2 µg/m³
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Colorado Springs
75.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Colorado Springs
24.1 min
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 20.5 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Colorado Springs leads in median household income at $83,198, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Colorado Springs is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Colorado Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Colorado Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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