Eugene OR 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)
Eugene, OR
Oregon · Population: 177,520
- Median HH Income$63,836
- Median Home Price$478,489
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+44.2%
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
Eugene
177,520
Eugene +
Las Cruces
112,612
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Eugene
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
Median Age
Eugene
35.4
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Foreign Born
Eugene
6.8%
Las Cruces
10.1%
Las Cruces +
White
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
Las Cruces
54.1%
Black
Eugene
1.8%
Las Cruces
2.6%
Las Cruces +
Asian
Eugene
3.9%
Eugene +
Las Cruces
1.9%
Hispanic
Eugene
11.4%
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Spanish at Home
Eugene
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | 112,612 | Eugene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 32.7 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 10.1% | Las Cruces + |
| White | 78.9% | 54.1% | Eugene + |
| Black | 1.8% | 2.6% | Las Cruces + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 1.9% | Eugene + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 59.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Eugene
$63,836
Eugene +
Las Cruces
$55,176
Per Capita Income
Eugene
$41,035
Eugene +
Las Cruces
$30,804
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Eugene
$63,691
Eugene +
Las Cruces
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Eugene
7.6%
Las Cruces
7.4%
Las Cruces +
Poverty Rate
Eugene
18.2%
Eugene +
Las Cruces
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Eugene
44.2%
Eugene +
Las Cruces
37.3%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,836 | $55,176 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,035 | $30,804 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $53,141 | Eugene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 7.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.2% | 22.0% | Eugene + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.2% | 37.3% | Eugene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Eugene
$478,489
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Homeownership Rate
Eugene
47.6%
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $478,489 | $290,963 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 55.6% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
355
Eugene +
Las Cruces
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
3001
Eugene +
Las Cruces
3177
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 834 | Eugene + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 3177 | Eugene + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
34.0%
Eugene +
Las Cruces
35.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
9.4%
Eugene +
Las Cruces
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Eugene
19.9%
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Eugene
8.3%
Eugene +
Las Cruces
17.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Eugene
15.1%
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Eugene
11.9%
Eugene +
Las Cruces
12.1%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 35.4% | Eugene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 13.0% | Eugene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 15.8% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 17.7% | Eugene + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 14.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.1% | Eugene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
52.5°F
Eugene +
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
46.1 in
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | 58.8°F | Eugene + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Eugene
55.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Las Cruces + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Eugene
19.9 min
Eugene +
Las Cruces
20.5 min
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 20.5 min | Eugene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Eugene leads in median household income at $63,836, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Eugene is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 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, Eugene scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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