Flint MI 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)
Flint, MI
Michigan · Population: 80,835
- Median HH Income$36,194
- Median Home Price$65,949
- Unemployment17.4%
- Bachelor's+13.1%
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
Flint
80,835
Las Cruces
112,612
Las Cruces +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
Las Cruces
10.1%
Las Cruces +
White
Flint
34.4%
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
Black
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Las Cruces
2.6%
Asian
Flint
0.6%
Las Cruces
1.9%
Las Cruces +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 112,612 | Las Cruces + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 32.7 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 10.1% | Las Cruces + |
| White | 34.4% | 54.1% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 56.6% | 2.6% | Flint + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 1.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 59.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
Las Cruces
$55,176
Las Cruces +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
Las Cruces
$30,804
Las Cruces +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
Flint +
Las Cruces
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
Las Cruces
7.4%
Las Cruces +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
Las Cruces
22.0%
Las Cruces +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $55,176 | Las Cruces + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $30,804 | Las Cruces + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $53,141 | Flint + |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 7.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 22.0% | Las Cruces + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 37.3% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Las Cruces
$290,963
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $290,963 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 55.6% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
Flint +
Las Cruces
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Flint +
Las Cruces
3177
| Metric | Flint, MI | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 834 | Flint + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 3177 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
50.5%
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Cruces +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
Las Cruces
13.0%
Las Cruces +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
Flint +
Las Cruces
17.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Las Cruces
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | 35.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 13.0% | Las Cruces + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | 15.8% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 17.7% | Flint + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 14.9% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 12.1% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0°F | 58.8°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Las Cruces + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Flint
25.0 min
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 20.5 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Cruces leads in median household income at $55,176, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Flint is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 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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