Glendale AZ 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)
Glendale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 271,118
- Median HH Income$121,351
- Median Home Price$408,630
- Unemployment3.3%
- Bachelor's+47.5%
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
Glendale
271,118
Glendale +
Las Cruces
112,612
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Glendale
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
Median Age
Glendale
35.7
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Foreign Born
Glendale
9.6%
Las Cruces
10.1%
Las Cruces +
White
Glendale
72.7%
Glendale +
Las Cruces
54.1%
Black
Glendale
3.4%
Glendale +
Las Cruces
2.6%
Asian
Glendale
6.6%
Glendale +
Las Cruces
1.9%
Hispanic
Glendale
17.5%
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Spanish at Home
Glendale
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 271,118 | 112,612 | Glendale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 32.7 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 9.6% | 10.1% | Las Cruces + |
| White | 72.7% | 54.1% | Glendale + |
| Black | 3.4% | 2.6% | Glendale + |
| Asian | 6.6% | 1.9% | Glendale + |
| Hispanic | 17.5% | 59.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Glendale
$121,351
Glendale +
Las Cruces
$55,176
Per Capita Income
Glendale
$49,825
Glendale +
Las Cruces
$30,804
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Glendale
$59,120
Glendale +
Las Cruces
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Glendale
3.3%
Glendale +
Las Cruces
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Glendale
5.1%
Glendale +
Las Cruces
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Glendale
47.5%
Glendale +
Las Cruces
37.3%
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $121,351 | $55,176 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,825 | $30,804 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $53,141 | Glendale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 7.4% | Glendale + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.1% | 22.0% | Glendale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.5% | 37.3% | Glendale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Glendale
$408,630
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Homeownership Rate
Glendale
73.9%
Glendale +
Las Cruces
55.6%
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $408,630 | $290,963 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.9% | 55.6% | Glendale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
450
Glendale +
Las Cruces
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
2150
Glendale +
Las Cruces
3177
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 834 | Glendale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 3177 | Glendale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
32.9%
Glendale +
Las Cruces
35.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
11.7%
Glendale +
Las Cruces
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Glendale
16.7%
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Glendale
17.6%
Glendale +
Las Cruces
17.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Glendale
15.7%
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Glendale
13.2%
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 35.4% | Glendale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 13.0% | Glendale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 15.8% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 17.7% | Glendale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 14.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 12.1% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
N/A
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Glendale
7.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Glendale
75.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Glendale
28.0 min
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.0 min | 20.5 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Glendale leads in median household income at $121,351, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Glendale is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Glendale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Glendale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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