Hampton VA 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)

Hampton, VA

Virginia · Population: 137,334

  • Median HH Income$67,758
  • Median Home Price$278,048
  • Unemployment6.3%
  • Bachelor's+27.5%

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
Hampton
137,334
Hampton +
Las Cruces
112,612
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hampton
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
Median Age
Hampton
36.5
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Foreign Born
Hampton
5.2%
Las Cruces
10.1%
Las Cruces +
White
Hampton
37.5%
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
Black
Hampton
49.0%
Hampton +
Las Cruces
2.6%
Asian
Hampton
2.2%
Hampton +
Las Cruces
1.9%
Hispanic
Hampton
6.6%
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Spanish at Home
Hampton
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Hampton
$67,758
Hampton +
Las Cruces
$55,176
Per Capita Income
Hampton
$36,787
Hampton +
Las Cruces
$30,804
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hampton
$69,581
Hampton +
Las Cruces
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Hampton
6.3%
Hampton +
Las Cruces
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Hampton
13.0%
Hampton +
Las Cruces
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hampton
27.5%
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hampton
$278,048
Hampton +
Las Cruces
$290,963
Homeownership Rate
Hampton
55.6%
Hampton +
Las Cruces
55.6%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hampton
240
Hampton +
Las Cruces
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hampton
1726
Hampton +
Las Cruces
3177

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hampton
40.1%
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Cruces +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hampton
15.0%
Las Cruces
13.0%
Las Cruces +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hampton
18.4%
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hampton
9.5%
Hampton +
Las Cruces
17.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hampton
13.1%
Hampton +
Las Cruces
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hampton
14.3%
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hampton
61.9°F
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Las Cruces +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hampton
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hampton
8.2 µg/m³
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hampton
75.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hampton
24.0 min
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Las Cruces +

Which City is Right for You?

Hampton leads in median household income at $67,758, while hampton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $278,048. On public safety, Hampton is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Hampton has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, 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%.

Compare More Cities

About Hampton & Las Cruces