Grand Island NE 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)
Grand Island, NE
Nebraska · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$254,245
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Grand Island
N/A
Las Cruces
112,612
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Island
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
Median Age
Grand Island
N/A
Las Cruces
32.7
Foreign Born
Grand Island
N/A
Las Cruces
10.1%
White
Grand Island
N/A
Las Cruces
54.1%
Black
Grand Island
N/A
Las Cruces
2.6%
Asian
Grand Island
N/A
Las Cruces
1.9%
Hispanic
Grand Island
N/A
Las Cruces
59.4%
Spanish at Home
Grand Island
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 112,612 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 32.7 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 10.1% | - |
| White | N/A | 54.1% | - |
| Black | N/A | 2.6% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 1.9% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 59.4% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Island
N/A
Las Cruces
$55,176
Per Capita Income
Grand Island
N/A
Las Cruces
$30,804
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Island
$66,354
Grand Island +
Las Cruces
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Las Cruces
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Las Cruces
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Island
N/A
Las Cruces
37.3%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $55,176 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $30,804 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $53,141 | Grand Island + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 7.4% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 22.0% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 37.3% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Island
$254,245
Grand Island +
Las Cruces
$290,963
Homeownership Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Las Cruces
55.6%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $254,245 | $290,963 | Grand Island + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 55.6% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Island
294
Grand Island +
Las Cruces
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Island
1960
Grand Island +
Las Cruces
3177
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 834 | Grand Island + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 3177 | Grand Island + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
41.5%
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Cruces +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
11.6%
Grand Island +
Las Cruces
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Island
14.4%
Grand Island +
Las Cruces
15.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
17.5%
Grand Island +
Las Cruces
17.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
19.1%
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
14.8%
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.5% | 35.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 13.0% | Grand Island + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.4% | 15.8% | Grand Island + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 17.7% | Grand Island + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 14.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 12.1% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Island
50.8°F
Grand Island +
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Island
26.7 in
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8°F | 58.8°F | Grand Island + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Island
7.6 µg/m³
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Island
75.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Island
N/A
Las Cruces
20.5 min
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 20.5 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Island offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $254,245. On public safety, Grand Island is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. 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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