Denver CO 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)
Denver, CO
Colorado · Population: 713,734
- Median HH Income$91,681
- Median Home Price$541,899
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+55.6%
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
Denver
713,734
Denver +
Las Cruces
112,612
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Denver
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
Median Age
Denver
35.2
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Foreign Born
Denver
13.9%
Denver +
Las Cruces
10.1%
White
Denver
62.9%
Denver +
Las Cruces
54.1%
Black
Denver
8.8%
Denver +
Las Cruces
2.6%
Asian
Denver
3.6%
Denver +
Las Cruces
1.9%
Hispanic
Denver
27.9%
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Spanish at Home
Denver
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Denver, CO | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 713,734 | 112,612 | Denver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 32.7 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 10.1% | Denver + |
| White | 62.9% | 54.1% | Denver + |
| Black | 8.8% | 2.6% | Denver + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 1.9% | Denver + |
| Hispanic | 27.9% | 59.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Denver
$91,681
Denver +
Las Cruces
$55,176
Per Capita Income
Denver
$61,202
Denver +
Las Cruces
$30,804
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Denver
$76,653
Denver +
Las Cruces
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Denver
4.6%
Denver +
Las Cruces
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Denver
11.2%
Denver +
Las Cruces
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Denver
55.6%
Denver +
Las Cruces
37.3%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,681 | $55,176 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Income | $61,202 | $30,804 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $53,141 | Denver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 7.4% | Denver + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.2% | 22.0% | Denver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.6% | 37.3% | Denver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Denver
$541,899
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Homeownership Rate
Denver
49.1%
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $541,899 | $290,963 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 55.6% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
512
Denver +
Las Cruces
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
3234
Las Cruces
3177
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 834 | Denver + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 3177 | Las Cruces + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Denver
21.6%
Denver +
Las Cruces
35.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Denver
7.1%
Denver +
Las Cruces
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Denver
15.5%
Denver +
Las Cruces
15.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Denver
13.3%
Denver +
Las Cruces
17.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Denver
25.9%
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Denver
10.2%
Denver +
Las Cruces
12.1%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.6% | 35.4% | Denver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 13.0% | Denver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 15.8% | Denver + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 17.7% | Denver + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 25.9% | 14.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 12.1% | Denver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
N/A
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
17.2 in
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Denver, CO | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Denver
75.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Denver, CO | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Denver
27.4 min
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 20.5 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Denver leads in median household income at $91,681, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Denver is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Denver has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Denver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.6%.
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