Columbia MO 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)
Columbia, MO
Missouri · Population: 127,200
- Median HH Income$64,488
- Median Home Price$323,876
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+56.5%
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
Columbia
127,200
Columbia +
Las Cruces
112,612
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Las Cruces
32.7
Foreign Born
Columbia
8.1%
Las Cruces
10.1%
Las Cruces +
White
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Las Cruces
54.1%
Black
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Las Cruces
2.6%
Asian
Columbia
6.1%
Columbia +
Las Cruces
1.9%
Hispanic
Columbia
4.3%
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 112,612 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 32.7 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 10.1% | Las Cruces + |
| White | 74.3% | 54.1% | Columbia + |
| Black | 12.1% | 2.6% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 1.9% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 4.3% | 59.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$64,488
Columbia +
Las Cruces
$55,176
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$37,359
Columbia +
Las Cruces
$30,804
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$58,527
Columbia +
Las Cruces
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Las Cruces
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
20.0%
Columbia +
Las Cruces
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
Las Cruces
37.3%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,488 | $55,176 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,359 | $30,804 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $53,141 | Columbia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 7.4% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 22.0% | Columbia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.5% | 37.3% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$323,876
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
49.4%
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $323,876 | $290,963 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 55.6% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
501
Columbia +
Las Cruces
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
2418
Columbia +
Las Cruces
3177
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 834 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 3177 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
30.1%
Columbia +
Las Cruces
35.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Las Cruces
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.1%
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
Las Cruces
17.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
18.5%
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.4%
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 35.4% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 13.0% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 15.8% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 17.7% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 14.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.1% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
56.0°F
Columbia +
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | 58.8°F | Columbia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
55.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Las Cruces + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
Las Cruces
20.5 min
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.2 min | 20.5 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbia leads in median household income at $64,488, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Columbia is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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