Dallas 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)
Dallas, TX
Texas · Population: 1,299,553
- Median HH Income$67,760
- Median Home Price$311,957
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+37.4%
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
Dallas
1,299,553
Dallas +
Las Cruces
112,612
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dallas
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
Median Age
Dallas
33.4
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Foreign Born
Dallas
23.4%
Dallas +
Las Cruces
10.1%
White
Dallas
41.9%
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
Black
Dallas
23.7%
Dallas +
Las Cruces
2.6%
Asian
Dallas
3.7%
Dallas +
Las Cruces
1.9%
Hispanic
Dallas
41.9%
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Spanish at Home
Dallas
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 112,612 | Dallas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 32.7 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 23.4% | 10.1% | Dallas + |
| White | 41.9% | 54.1% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 23.7% | 2.6% | Dallas + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 1.9% | Dallas + |
| Hispanic | 41.9% | 59.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dallas
$67,760
Dallas +
Las Cruces
$55,176
Per Capita Income
Dallas
$44,138
Dallas +
Las Cruces
$30,804
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dallas
$63,758
Dallas +
Las Cruces
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Dallas
4.9%
Dallas +
Las Cruces
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Dallas
17.2%
Dallas +
Las Cruces
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Dallas
37.4%
Dallas +
Las Cruces
37.3%
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,760 | $55,176 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,138 | $30,804 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $53,141 | Dallas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 7.4% | Dallas + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 22.0% | Dallas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.4% | 37.3% | Dallas + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dallas
$311,957
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Homeownership Rate
Dallas
42.4%
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $311,957 | $290,963 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | 55.6% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
442
Dallas +
Las Cruces
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
2339
Dallas +
Las Cruces
3177
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 834 | Dallas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3177 | Dallas + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
36.8%
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Cruces +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
12.4%
Dallas +
Las Cruces
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dallas
17.8%
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dallas
22.7%
Las Cruces
17.7%
Las Cruces +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dallas
17.4%
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dallas
13.0%
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 35.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 13.0% | Dallas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 15.8% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.7% | 17.7% | Las Cruces + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 14.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.1% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
65.9°F
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Las Cruces +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
40.6 in
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 58.8°F | Las Cruces + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dallas
9.2 µg/m³
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dallas
55.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Dallas, 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
Dallas
28.3 min
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 20.5 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dallas leads in median household income at $67,760, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Dallas is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Dallas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, 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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