Des Moines IA 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)
Des Moines, IA
Iowa · Population: 212,464
- Median HH Income$63,966
- Median Home Price$210,703
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+29.0%
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
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
Las Cruces
112,612
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
Las Cruces
10.1%
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Las Cruces
54.1%
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Des Moines +
Las Cruces
2.6%
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Las Cruces
1.9%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 112,612 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 32.7 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 10.1% | Des Moines + |
| White | 66.9% | 54.1% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 12.0% | 2.6% | Des Moines + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 1.9% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 59.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Des Moines +
Las Cruces
$55,176
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Des Moines +
Las Cruces
$30,804
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Des Moines +
Las Cruces
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Des Moines +
Las Cruces
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
Las Cruces
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $55,176 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $30,804 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $53,141 | Des Moines + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 7.4% | Des Moines + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 22.0% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 37.3% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Las Cruces
$290,963
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
Las Cruces
55.6%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $290,963 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 55.6% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Las Cruces
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Las Cruces
3177
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 834 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 3177 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Cruces +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Des Moines +
Las Cruces
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
Las Cruces
17.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 35.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.0% | Des Moines + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 15.8% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 17.7% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 14.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 12.1% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 58.8°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Las Cruces + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 20.5 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Des Moines leads in median household income at $63,966, while des Moines offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,703. On public safety, Des Moines is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Des Moines has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, 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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