Dayton OH 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)
Dayton, OH
Ohio · Population: 136,741
- Median HH Income$43,454
- Median Home Price$138,867
- Unemployment9.7%
- Bachelor's+20.7%
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
Dayton
136,741
Dayton +
Las Cruces
112,612
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Las Cruces
10.1%
Las Cruces +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Las Cruces
2.6%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Las Cruces
1.9%
Las Cruces +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 112,612 | Dayton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 32.7 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 10.1% | Las Cruces + |
| White | 51.3% | 54.1% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 38.0% | 2.6% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 1.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 59.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Las Cruces
$55,176
Las Cruces +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Las Cruces
$30,804
Las Cruces +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Dayton +
Las Cruces
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Las Cruces
7.4%
Las Cruces +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Las Cruces
22.0%
Las Cruces +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $55,176 | Las Cruces + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $30,804 | Las Cruces + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $53,141 | Dayton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 7.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 22.0% | Las Cruces + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 37.3% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Las Cruces
$290,963
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $290,963 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 55.6% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Las Cruces
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Dayton +
Las Cruces
3177
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 834 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 3177 | Dayton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Cruces +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Las Cruces
13.0%
Las Cruces +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Dayton +
Las Cruces
17.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Las Cruces
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 35.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 13.0% | Las Cruces + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 15.8% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 17.7% | Dayton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 14.9% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 12.1% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Dayton +
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | 58.8°F | Dayton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Las Cruces + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 20.5 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Cruces leads in median household income at $55,176, while dayton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,867. On public safety, Dayton is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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, Las Cruces scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.4%.
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