Johnson City TN 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)
Johnson City, TN
Tennessee · Population: 71,455
- Median HH Income$55,429
- Median Home Price$294,254
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+41.8%
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
Johnson City
71,455
Las Cruces
112,612
Las Cruces +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Las Cruces
10.1%
Las Cruces +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Las Cruces
54.1%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Johnson City +
Las Cruces
2.6%
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Johnson City +
Las Cruces
1.9%
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 112,612 | Las Cruces + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 32.7 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 10.1% | Las Cruces + |
| White | 84.0% | 54.1% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 2.6% | Johnson City + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 1.9% | Johnson City + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 59.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Johnson City +
Las Cruces
$55,176
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Johnson City +
Las Cruces
$30,804
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Johnson City +
Las Cruces
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Johnson City +
Las Cruces
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Johnson City +
Las Cruces
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
Las Cruces
37.3%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $55,176 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $30,804 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $53,141 | Johnson City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 7.4% | Johnson City + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 22.0% | Johnson City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 37.3% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $290,963 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 55.6% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Johnson City +
Las Cruces
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Johnson City +
Las Cruces
3177
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 834 | Johnson City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 3177 | Johnson City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Cruces +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Johnson City +
Las Cruces
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Johnson City +
Las Cruces
17.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 35.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 13.0% | Johnson City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 15.8% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 17.7% | Johnson City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 12.1% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
Las Cruces
20.5 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 20.5 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Johnson City leads in median household income at $55,429, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Johnson City is safer with a violent crime rate of 639 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Johnson City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, 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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