Elizabeth NJ 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)
Elizabeth, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 135,887
- Median HH Income$63,874
- Median Home Price$531,592
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+14.2%
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
Elizabeth
135,887
Elizabeth +
Las Cruces
112,612
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Las Cruces
10.1%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
Las Cruces
2.6%
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Las Cruces
1.9%
Las Cruces +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Las Cruces
59.4%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 112,612 | Elizabeth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 32.7 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 10.1% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 54.1% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 17.1% | 2.6% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 1.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 59.4% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Elizabeth +
Las Cruces
$55,176
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Las Cruces
$30,804
Las Cruces +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Las Cruces
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Elizabeth +
Las Cruces
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Elizabeth +
Las Cruces
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $55,176 | Elizabeth + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $30,804 | Las Cruces + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $53,141 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 7.4% | Elizabeth + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 22.0% | Elizabeth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 37.3% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $290,963 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 55.6% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Las Cruces
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Las Cruces
3177
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 834 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 3177 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Elizabeth +
Las Cruces
35.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Las Cruces
13.0%
Las Cruces +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Las Cruces
17.7%
Las Cruces +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Las Cruces
14.9%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 35.4% | Elizabeth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 13.0% | Las Cruces + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 15.8% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 17.7% | Las Cruces + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.9% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 12.1% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | 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
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 20.5 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elizabeth leads in median household income at $63,874, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Elizabeth has a lower unemployment rate at 6.9%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elizabeth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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