Independence MO 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)
Independence, MO
Missouri · Population: 121,944
- Median HH Income$59,480
- Median Home Price$210,384
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+20.9%
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
Independence
121,944
Independence +
Las Cruces
112,612
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Las Cruces
10.1%
Las Cruces +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Las Cruces
54.1%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
Las Cruces
2.6%
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Las Cruces
1.9%
Las Cruces +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 112,612 | Independence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 32.7 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 10.1% | Las Cruces + |
| White | 72.2% | 54.1% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 2.6% | Independence + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 1.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 59.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Independence +
Las Cruces
$55,176
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Independence +
Las Cruces
$30,804
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Independence +
Las Cruces
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Independence +
Las Cruces
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Las Cruces
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $55,176 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $30,804 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $53,141 | Independence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 7.4% | Independence + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 22.0% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 37.3% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Las Cruces
$290,963
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Las Cruces
55.6%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $290,963 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 55.6% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Independence +
Las Cruces
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Independence +
Las Cruces
3177
| Metric | Independence, MO | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 834 | Independence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 3177 | Independence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Cruces +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Independence +
Las Cruces
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Las Cruces
17.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 35.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 13.0% | Independence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 15.8% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 17.7% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 14.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 12.1% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 58.8°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Las Cruces + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 20.5 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Independence leads in median household income at $59,480, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Independence is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Independence has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, 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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