Gainesville FL 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)
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
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
Gainesville
143,611
Gainesville +
Las Cruces
112,612
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gainesville
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
Median Age
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Las Cruces
32.7
Foreign Born
Gainesville
12.1%
Gainesville +
Las Cruces
10.1%
White
Gainesville
59.2%
Gainesville +
Las Cruces
54.1%
Black
Gainesville
21.6%
Gainesville +
Las Cruces
2.6%
Asian
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Las Cruces
1.9%
Hispanic
Gainesville
13.4%
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Spanish at Home
Gainesville
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 112,612 | Gainesville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 32.7 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 10.1% | Gainesville + |
| White | 59.2% | 54.1% | Gainesville + |
| Black | 21.6% | 2.6% | Gainesville + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 1.9% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 13.4% | 59.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gainesville
$45,611
Las Cruces
$55,176
Las Cruces +
Per Capita Income
Gainesville
$30,282
Las Cruces
$30,804
Las Cruces +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gainesville
$65,328
Gainesville +
Las Cruces
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Gainesville
4.8%
Gainesville +
Las Cruces
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Gainesville
28.0%
Las Cruces
22.0%
Las Cruces +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
Las Cruces
37.3%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,611 | $55,176 | Las Cruces + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,282 | $30,804 | Las Cruces + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $53,141 | Gainesville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 7.4% | Gainesville + |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | 22.0% | Las Cruces + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 37.3% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gainesville
$299,633
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Homeownership Rate
Gainesville
38.5%
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,633 | $290,963 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 55.6% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
324
Gainesville +
Las Cruces
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
Las Cruces
3177
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 834 | Gainesville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 3177 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
31.2%
Gainesville +
Las Cruces
35.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Las Cruces
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gainesville
21.3%
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
13.9%
Gainesville +
Las Cruces
17.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
17.8%
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
11.8%
Gainesville +
Las Cruces
12.1%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 35.4% | Gainesville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 13.0% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 15.8% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 17.7% | Gainesville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 14.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.1% | Gainesville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
68.9°F
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Las Cruces +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
47.3 in
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.9°F | 58.8°F | Las Cruces + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gainesville
75.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
Las Cruces
20.5 min
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 20.5 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Cruces leads in median household income at $55,176, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Gainesville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Gainesville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gainesville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
Compare More Cities
Gainesville, FL vs New York, NYGainesville, FL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Gainesville, FLGainesville, FL vs Houston, TXGainesville, FL vs Phoenix, AZGainesville, FL vs Philadelphia, PA