Fayetteville 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)
Fayetteville, NC
North Carolina · Population: 209,692
- Median HH Income$56,395
- Median Home Price$226,710
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
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
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
Las Cruces
112,612
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Las Cruces
32.7
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Las Cruces
10.1%
Las Cruces +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Las Cruces
2.6%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Las Cruces
1.9%
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 112,612 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 32.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 10.1% | Las Cruces + |
| White | 38.3% | 54.1% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 42.3% | 2.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 1.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 59.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Fayetteville +
Las Cruces
$55,176
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Fayetteville +
Las Cruces
$30,804
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Fayetteville +
Las Cruces
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Las Cruces
7.4%
Las Cruces +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Fayetteville +
Las Cruces
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $55,176 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $30,804 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $53,141 | Fayetteville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 7.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 22.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 37.3% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Las Cruces
$290,963
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $290,963 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 55.6% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Fayetteville +
Las Cruces
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Fayetteville +
Las Cruces
3177
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 834 | Fayetteville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3177 | Fayetteville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Cruces +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Fayetteville +
Las Cruces
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Fayetteville +
Las Cruces
17.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 35.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 13.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 15.8% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 17.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 14.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 12.1% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Las Cruces +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 58.8°F | Las Cruces + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, 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
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 20.5 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fayetteville leads in median household income at $56,395, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,710. On public safety, Fayetteville is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 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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