Grand Rapids MI 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 Rapids, MI
Michigan · Population: 197,768
- Median HH Income$65,526
- Median Home Price$309,801
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
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 Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Las Cruces
112,612
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Las Cruces
32.7
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Grand Rapids +
Las Cruces
10.1%
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Las Cruces
54.1%
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Las Cruces
2.6%
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Grand Rapids +
Las Cruces
1.9%
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 112,612 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 32.7 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 10.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| White | 61.0% | 54.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 17.9% | 2.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 1.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 59.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Grand Rapids +
Las Cruces
$55,176
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Grand Rapids +
Las Cruces
$30,804
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Grand Rapids +
Las Cruces
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Las Cruces
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Grand Rapids +
Las Cruces
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
Las Cruces
37.3%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $55,176 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $30,804 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $53,141 | Grand Rapids + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 7.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 22.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 37.3% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $290,963 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 55.6% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Grand Rapids +
Las Cruces
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
Las Cruces
3177
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 834 | Grand Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 3177 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Cruces +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Las Cruces
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Las Cruces
17.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 35.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 13.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 15.8% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 17.7% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 14.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.1% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | 58.8°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Las Cruces + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 20.5 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Rapids leads in median household income at $65,526, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Grand Rapids is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, 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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