Durham NC 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)
Durham, NC
North Carolina · Population: 288,465
- Median HH Income$79,234
- Median Home Price$399,509
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+55.7%
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
Durham
288,465
Durham +
Las Cruces
112,612
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Durham +
Las Cruces
10.1%
White
Durham
44.0%
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
Black
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Las Cruces
2.6%
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Durham +
Las Cruces
1.9%
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 112,612 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 32.7 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 10.1% | Durham + |
| White | 44.0% | 54.1% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 34.4% | 2.6% | Durham + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 1.9% | Durham + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 59.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Durham +
Las Cruces
$55,176
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
Las Cruces
$30,804
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Durham +
Las Cruces
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Las Cruces
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Durham +
Las Cruces
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
Las Cruces
37.3%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $55,176 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $30,804 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $53,141 | Durham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 7.4% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 22.0% | Durham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 37.3% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $290,963 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 55.6% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Durham +
Las Cruces
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Durham +
Las Cruces
3177
| Metric | Durham, NC | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 834 | Durham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3177 | Durham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
36.8%
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Cruces +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Durham +
Las Cruces
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Durham +
Las Cruces
17.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
Las Cruces
12.1%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 35.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 13.0% | Durham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 15.8% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 17.7% | Durham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 12.1% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Durham +
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.9°F | 58.8°F | Durham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Durham, NC | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Durham
24.3 min
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 20.5 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Durham leads in median household income at $79,234, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Durham is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, 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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