Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Las Cruces
112,612
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Las Cruces
10.1%
Las Cruces +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Las Cruces
2.6%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Las Cruces
1.9%
Las Cruces +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 112,612 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 32.7 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 10.1% | Las Cruces + |
| White | 11.7% | 54.1% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 76.8% | 2.6% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 1.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 59.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Las Cruces
$55,176
Las Cruces +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Las Cruces
$30,804
Las Cruces +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Detroit +
Las Cruces
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Las Cruces
7.4%
Las Cruces +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Las Cruces
22.0%
Las Cruces +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $55,176 | Las Cruces + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $30,804 | Las Cruces + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $53,141 | Detroit + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 7.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 22.0% | Las Cruces + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 37.3% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Las Cruces
$290,963
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $290,963 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 55.6% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Detroit +
Las Cruces
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Las Cruces
3177
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 834 | Detroit + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 3177 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Cruces +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Las Cruces
13.0%
Las Cruces +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
Las Cruces
17.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Las Cruces
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 35.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 13.0% | Las Cruces + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 15.8% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 17.7% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.9% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 12.1% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 58.8°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Las Cruces + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 20.5 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Cruces leads in median household income at $55,176, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Detroit is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 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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