Jackson MS 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)
Jackson, MS
Mississippi · Population: 149,827
- Median HH Income$43,238
- Median Home Price$88,100
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
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
Jackson
149,827
Jackson +
Las Cruces
112,612
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Las Cruces
10.1%
Las Cruces +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Las Cruces
2.6%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Las Cruces
1.9%
Las Cruces +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 112,612 | Jackson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 32.7 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 10.1% | Las Cruces + |
| White | 14.5% | 54.1% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 81.8% | 2.6% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 1.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 59.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Las Cruces
$55,176
Las Cruces +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Las Cruces
$30,804
Las Cruces +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Las Cruces
$53,141
Las Cruces +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Las Cruces
7.4%
Las Cruces +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Las Cruces
22.0%
Las Cruces +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $55,176 | Las Cruces + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $30,804 | Las Cruces + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $53,141 | Las Cruces + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 7.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 22.0% | Las Cruces + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 37.3% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Las Cruces
$290,963
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $290,963 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 55.6% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Las Cruces
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
Las Cruces
3177
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 834 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 3177 | Jackson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Cruces +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Las Cruces
13.0%
Las Cruces +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Jackson +
Las Cruces
17.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Las Cruces
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 35.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 13.0% | Las Cruces + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 15.8% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 17.7% | Jackson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.9% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 12.1% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Las Cruces +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 58.8°F | Las Cruces + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Las Cruces + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 20.5 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Cruces leads in median household income at $55,176, while jackson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $88,100. On public safety, Jackson is safer with a violent crime rate of 247 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Las Cruces has a lower unemployment rate at 7.4%, 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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