Elk Grove CA 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)
Elk Grove, CA
California · Population: 177,221
- Median HH Income$122,229
- Median Home Price$637,623
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+38.0%
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
Elk Grove
177,221
Elk Grove +
Las Cruces
112,612
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elk Grove
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
Median Age
Elk Grove
39.0
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Foreign Born
Elk Grove
25.0%
Elk Grove +
Las Cruces
10.1%
White
Elk Grove
34.9%
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
Black
Elk Grove
10.9%
Elk Grove +
Las Cruces
2.6%
Asian
Elk Grove
31.8%
Elk Grove +
Las Cruces
1.9%
Hispanic
Elk Grove
18.0%
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Spanish at Home
Elk Grove
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,221 | 112,612 | Elk Grove + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 32.7 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 25.0% | 10.1% | Elk Grove + |
| White | 34.9% | 54.1% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 10.9% | 2.6% | Elk Grove + |
| Asian | 31.8% | 1.9% | Elk Grove + |
| Hispanic | 18.0% | 59.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elk Grove
$122,229
Elk Grove +
Las Cruces
$55,176
Per Capita Income
Elk Grove
$44,932
Elk Grove +
Las Cruces
$30,804
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elk Grove
$77,230
Elk Grove +
Las Cruces
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Elk Grove
6.7%
Elk Grove +
Las Cruces
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Elk Grove
7.4%
Elk Grove +
Las Cruces
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elk Grove
38.0%
Elk Grove +
Las Cruces
37.3%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $122,229 | $55,176 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,932 | $30,804 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $53,141 | Elk Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 7.4% | Elk Grove + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 22.0% | Elk Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.0% | 37.3% | Elk Grove + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elk Grove
$637,623
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Homeownership Rate
Elk Grove
73.9%
Elk Grove +
Las Cruces
55.6%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $637,623 | $290,963 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.9% | 55.6% | Elk Grove + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
503
Elk Grove +
Las Cruces
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
2388
Elk Grove +
Las Cruces
3177
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 834 | Elk Grove + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3177 | Elk Grove + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
26.2%
Elk Grove +
Las Cruces
35.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.9%
Elk Grove +
Las Cruces
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elk Grove
15.9%
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
6.7%
Elk Grove +
Las Cruces
17.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
13.2%
Elk Grove +
Las Cruces
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.1%
Elk Grove +
Las Cruces
12.1%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 35.4% | Elk Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 13.0% | Elk Grove + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 15.8% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 17.7% | Elk Grove + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 14.9% | Elk Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 12.1% | Elk Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | 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.)
Elk Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elk Grove
75.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elk Grove
33.7 min
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 20.5 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elk Grove leads in median household income at $122,229, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Elk Grove is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Elk Grove has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elk Grove scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
Compare More Cities
Elk Grove, CA vs New York, NYElk Grove, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Elk Grove, CAElk Grove, CA vs Houston, TXElk Grove, CA vs Phoenix, AZElk Grove, CA vs Philadelphia, PA