Corpus Christi TX 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)
Corpus Christi, TX
Texas · Population: 317,383
- Median HH Income$66,325
- Median Home Price$226,494
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+24.3%
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
Corpus Christi
317,383
Corpus Christi +
Las Cruces
112,612
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Corpus Christi
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
Median Age
Corpus Christi
36.3
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Foreign Born
Corpus Christi
8.7%
Las Cruces
10.1%
Las Cruces +
White
Corpus Christi
54.7%
Corpus Christi +
Las Cruces
54.1%
Black
Corpus Christi
4.3%
Corpus Christi +
Las Cruces
2.6%
Asian
Corpus Christi
2.5%
Corpus Christi +
Las Cruces
1.9%
Hispanic
Corpus Christi
61.4%
Corpus Christi +
Las Cruces
59.4%
Spanish at Home
Corpus Christi
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 317,383 | 112,612 | Corpus Christi + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 32.7 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 8.7% | 10.1% | Las Cruces + |
| White | 54.7% | 54.1% | Corpus Christi + |
| Black | 4.3% | 2.6% | Corpus Christi + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.9% | Corpus Christi + |
| Hispanic | 61.4% | 59.4% | Corpus Christi + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Corpus Christi
$66,325
Corpus Christi +
Las Cruces
$55,176
Per Capita Income
Corpus Christi
$33,579
Corpus Christi +
Las Cruces
$30,804
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Corpus Christi
$63,758
Corpus Christi +
Las Cruces
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Corpus Christi
5.4%
Corpus Christi +
Las Cruces
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Corpus Christi
17.5%
Corpus Christi +
Las Cruces
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Corpus Christi
24.3%
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,325 | $55,176 | Corpus Christi + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,579 | $30,804 | Corpus Christi + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $53,141 | Corpus Christi + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 7.4% | Corpus Christi + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.5% | 22.0% | Corpus Christi + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.3% | 37.3% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Corpus Christi
$226,494
Corpus Christi +
Las Cruces
$290,963
Homeownership Rate
Corpus Christi
57.9%
Corpus Christi +
Las Cruces
55.6%
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,494 | $290,963 | Corpus Christi + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% | 55.6% | Corpus Christi + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
442
Corpus Christi +
Las Cruces
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
2339
Corpus Christi +
Las Cruces
3177
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 834 | Corpus Christi + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3177 | Corpus Christi + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
39.7%
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Cruces +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
15.9%
Las Cruces
13.0%
Las Cruces +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Corpus Christi
16.8%
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
24.3%
Las Cruces
17.7%
Las Cruces +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
18.3%
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
13.5%
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 35.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 13.0% | Las Cruces + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 15.8% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.3% | 17.7% | Las Cruces + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 14.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 12.1% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corpus Christi
72.1°F
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Las Cruces +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corpus Christi
32.5 in
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.1°F | 58.8°F | Las Cruces + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
9.2 µg/m³
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Corpus Christi
55.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Las Cruces + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Corpus Christi
22.0 min
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 20.5 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Corpus Christi leads in median household income at $66,325, while corpus Christi offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,494. On public safety, Corpus Christi is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Corpus Christi has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Las Cruces scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.4%.
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