Columbia SC 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, SC
South Carolina · Population: 138,019
- Median HH Income$55,653
- Median Home Price$229,993
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
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
138,019
Columbia +
Las Cruces
112,612
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Las Cruces
32.7
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Las Cruces
10.1%
Las Cruces +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Las Cruces
2.6%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Columbia +
Las Cruces
1.9%
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 112,612 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 32.7 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 10.1% | Las Cruces + |
| White | 49.9% | 54.1% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 39.5% | 2.6% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 1.9% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 59.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Columbia +
Las Cruces
$55,176
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
Las Cruces
$30,804
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Columbia +
Las Cruces
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Las Cruces
7.4%
Las Cruces +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Las Cruces
22.0%
Las Cruces +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Las Cruces
37.3%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $55,176 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $30,804 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $53,141 | Columbia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 7.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 22.0% | Las Cruces + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 37.3% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Las Cruces
$290,963
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $290,963 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 55.6% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Las Cruces
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
Las Cruces
3177
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 834 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3177 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Columbia +
Las Cruces
35.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Las Cruces
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Columbia +
Las Cruces
17.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 35.4% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 13.0% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 15.8% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 17.7% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 14.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.1% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Las Cruces +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 58.8°F | Las Cruces + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Las Cruces
20.5 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 20.5 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbia leads in median household income at $55,653, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Columbia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Las Cruces has a lower unemployment rate at 7.4%, 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 34.4%.
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