Garland 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)
Garland, TX
Texas · Population: 245,298
- Median HH Income$74,717
- Median Home Price$289,605
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
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
Garland
245,298
Garland +
Las Cruces
112,612
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garland
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
Median Age
Garland
34.7
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Foreign Born
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
Las Cruces
10.1%
White
Garland
37.5%
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
Black
Garland
15.3%
Garland +
Las Cruces
2.6%
Asian
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
Las Cruces
1.9%
Hispanic
Garland
45.0%
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Spanish at Home
Garland
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 112,612 | Garland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 32.7 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 31.2% | 10.1% | Garland + |
| White | 37.5% | 54.1% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 15.3% | 2.6% | Garland + |
| Asian | 11.2% | 1.9% | Garland + |
| Hispanic | 45.0% | 59.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garland
$74,717
Garland +
Las Cruces
$55,176
Per Capita Income
Garland
$31,477
Garland +
Las Cruces
$30,804
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garland
$63,758
Garland +
Las Cruces
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Garland
4.9%
Garland +
Las Cruces
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Garland
12.3%
Garland +
Las Cruces
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Garland
25.0%
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,717 | $55,176 | Garland + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,477 | $30,804 | Garland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $53,141 | Garland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 7.4% | Garland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 22.0% | Garland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 37.3% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garland
$289,605
Garland +
Las Cruces
$290,963
Homeownership Rate
Garland
61.6%
Garland +
Las Cruces
55.6%
| Metric | Garland, TX | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,605 | $290,963 | Garland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 55.6% | Garland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
442
Garland +
Las Cruces
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
2339
Garland +
Las Cruces
3177
| Metric | Garland, TX | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 834 | Garland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3177 | Garland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
34.7%
Garland +
Las Cruces
35.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.0%
Las Cruces
13.0%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garland
17.3%
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garland
22.6%
Las Cruces
17.7%
Las Cruces +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garland
16.1%
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.1%
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 35.4% | Garland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.0% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 15.8% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.6% | 17.7% | Las Cruces + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 12.1% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
69.1°F
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Las Cruces +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
49.5 in
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 69.1°F | 58.8°F | Las Cruces + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garland
55.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Garland, 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
Garland
32.5 min
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 20.5 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Garland leads in median household income at $74,717, while garland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $289,605. On public safety, Garland is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Garland 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, Garland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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