Fresno 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)
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
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
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
Las Cruces
112,612
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
Las Cruces
32.7
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Fresno +
Las Cruces
10.1%
White
Fresno
38.0%
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
Black
Fresno
6.7%
Fresno +
Las Cruces
2.6%
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Las Cruces
1.9%
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 112,612 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 32.7 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 10.1% | Fresno + |
| White | 38.0% | 54.1% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 6.7% | 2.6% | Fresno + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 1.9% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 59.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Fresno +
Las Cruces
$55,176
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
Fresno +
Las Cruces
$30,804
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
Las Cruces
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
Las Cruces
7.4%
Las Cruces +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
Fresno +
Las Cruces
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $55,176 | Fresno + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $30,804 | Fresno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $53,141 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 7.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 22.0% | Fresno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 37.3% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $290,963 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 55.6% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
Fresno +
Las Cruces
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
Fresno +
Las Cruces
3177
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 834 | Fresno + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3177 | Fresno + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
37.5%
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Cruces +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Fresno +
Las Cruces
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
Fresno +
Las Cruces
17.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
Las Cruces
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 35.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 13.0% | Fresno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 15.8% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 17.7% | Fresno + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 14.9% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.1% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Las Cruces +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | 58.8°F | Las Cruces + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fresno, 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
Fresno
23.7 min
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 20.5 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fresno leads in median household income at $66,804, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Fresno is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 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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