Kansas City 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)
Kansas City, MO
Missouri · Population: 508,233
- Median HH Income$67,449
- Median Home Price$253,319
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
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
Kansas City
508,233
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
35.7
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Las Cruces
10.1%
Las Cruces +
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Kansas City +
Las Cruces
54.1%
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Las Cruces
2.6%
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Kansas City +
Las Cruces
1.9%
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 112,612 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 32.7 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 10.1% | Las Cruces + |
| White | 57.8% | 54.1% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 25.8% | 2.6% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 1.9% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 59.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Kansas City +
Las Cruces
$55,176
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Kansas City +
Las Cruces
$30,804
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Kansas City +
Las Cruces
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Las Cruces
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Las Cruces
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Kansas City +
Las Cruces
37.3%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $55,176 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $30,804 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $53,141 | Kansas City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 7.4% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 22.0% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 37.3% | Kansas City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Las Cruces
$290,963
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $290,963 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 55.6% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Kansas City +
Las Cruces
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Kansas City +
Las Cruces
3177
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 834 | Kansas City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 3177 | Kansas City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Cruces +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Kansas City +
Las Cruces
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Kansas City +
Las Cruces
17.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 35.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 13.0% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 15.8% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 17.7% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 12.1% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Kansas City +
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | 58.8°F | Kansas City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Kansas City, 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
Kansas City
23.4 min
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 20.5 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $67,449, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $253,319. On public safety, Kansas City is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, 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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