Fort Worth TX 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)
Fort Worth, TX
Texas · Population: 941,311
- Median HH Income$76,602
- Median Home Price$299,655
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+31.7%
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
Fort Worth
941,311
Fort Worth +
Las Cruces
112,612
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Worth
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
Median Age
Fort Worth
33.4
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Foreign Born
Fort Worth
17.0%
Fort Worth +
Las Cruces
10.1%
White
Fort Worth
47.7%
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
Black
Fort Worth
19.5%
Fort Worth +
Las Cruces
2.6%
Asian
Fort Worth
5.2%
Fort Worth +
Las Cruces
1.9%
Hispanic
Fort Worth
34.6%
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Spanish at Home
Fort Worth
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 941,311 | 112,612 | Fort Worth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 32.7 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 10.1% | Fort Worth + |
| White | 47.7% | 54.1% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 19.5% | 2.6% | Fort Worth + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 1.9% | Fort Worth + |
| Hispanic | 34.6% | 59.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Worth
$76,602
Fort Worth +
Las Cruces
$55,176
Per Capita Income
Fort Worth
$37,157
Fort Worth +
Las Cruces
$30,804
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Worth
$63,758
Fort Worth +
Las Cruces
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Fort Worth
4.9%
Fort Worth +
Las Cruces
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Fort Worth
12.9%
Fort Worth +
Las Cruces
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Worth
31.7%
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,602 | $55,176 | Fort Worth + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,157 | $30,804 | Fort Worth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $53,141 | Fort Worth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 7.4% | Fort Worth + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.9% | 22.0% | Fort Worth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.7% | 37.3% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Worth
$299,655
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Worth
56.8%
Fort Worth +
Las Cruces
55.6%
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,655 | $290,963 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.8% | 55.6% | Fort Worth + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
442
Fort Worth +
Las Cruces
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
2339
Fort Worth +
Las Cruces
3177
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 834 | Fort Worth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3177 | Fort Worth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
34.6%
Fort Worth +
Las Cruces
35.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
12.2%
Fort Worth +
Las Cruces
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Worth
18.5%
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
20.0%
Las Cruces
17.7%
Las Cruces +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
16.9%
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
13.8%
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.6% | 35.4% | Fort Worth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 13.0% | Fort Worth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 15.8% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 17.7% | Las Cruces + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 14.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.1% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Worth
65.8°F
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Las Cruces +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Worth
37.8 in
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.8°F | 58.8°F | Las Cruces + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
9.2 µg/m³
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Worth
55.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Las Cruces + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Worth
29.0 min
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 20.5 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Worth leads in median household income at $76,602, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Fort Worth is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Fort Worth has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Worth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.6%.
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