Kansas City KS 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)
Kansas City, KS
Kansas · Population: 154,776
- Median HH Income$59,183
- Median Home Price$202,558
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+20.2%
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
Kansas City
154,776
Kansas City +
Las Cruces
112,612
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
Las Cruces
10.1%
White
Kansas City
44.0%
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
Kansas City +
Las Cruces
2.6%
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
Kansas City +
Las Cruces
1.9%
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 112,612 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 32.7 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 18.6% | 10.1% | Kansas City + |
| White | 44.0% | 54.1% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 20.4% | 2.6% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 1.9% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 35.0% | 59.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
Kansas City +
Las Cruces
$55,176
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
Las Cruces
$30,804
Las Cruces +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
Kansas City +
Las Cruces
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
Kansas City +
Las Cruces
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
Kansas City +
Las Cruces
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,183 | $55,176 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,059 | $30,804 | Las Cruces + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $53,141 | Kansas City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 7.4% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 22.0% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 37.3% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Las Cruces
$290,963
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
Las Cruces
55.6%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $202,558 | $290,963 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | 55.6% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
Kansas City +
Las Cruces
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
Kansas City +
Las Cruces
3177
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 834 | Kansas City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 3177 | Kansas City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
41.2%
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Cruces +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
Las Cruces
13.0%
Las Cruces +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
Las Cruces
17.7%
Las Cruces +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.2% | 35.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 13.0% | Las Cruces + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 15.8% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 17.7% | Las Cruces + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 12.1% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
N/A
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.7 min
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 20.5 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $59,183, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Kansas City is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, 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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