Houston 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Las Cruces
112,612
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Las Cruces
10.1%
White
Houston
35.5%
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Las Cruces
2.6%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Las Cruces
1.9%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 112,612 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 32.7 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 10.1% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 54.1% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 22.9% | 2.6% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 1.9% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 59.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Houston +
Las Cruces
$55,176
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Las Cruces
$30,804
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Las Cruces
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Houston +
Las Cruces
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Houston +
Las Cruces
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $55,176 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $30,804 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $53,141 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 7.4% | Houston + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 22.0% | Houston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 37.3% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Las Cruces
$290,963
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $290,963 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 55.6% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Houston +
Las Cruces
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Houston +
Las Cruces
3177
| Metric | Houston, TX | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 834 | Houston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3177 | Houston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Cruces +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Las Cruces
13.0%
Las Cruces +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Las Cruces
17.7%
Las Cruces +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 35.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 13.0% | Las Cruces + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 15.8% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 17.7% | Las Cruces + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 12.1% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Houston, 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
Houston
29.6 min
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 20.5 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Houston leads in median household income at $62,894, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Houston is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Houston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, 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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