Lakeland FL 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)
Lakeland, FL
Florida · Population: 82,506
- Median HH Income$60,465
- Median Home Price$312,001
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
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
Lakeland
82,506
Las Cruces
112,612
Las Cruces +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
Lakeland +
Las Cruces
10.1%
White
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Las Cruces
54.1%
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
Lakeland +
Las Cruces
2.6%
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
Lakeland +
Las Cruces
1.9%
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | 112,612 | Las Cruces + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | 32.7 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 10.1% | Lakeland + |
| White | 74.1% | 54.1% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 8.8% | 2.6% | Lakeland + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 1.9% | Lakeland + |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 59.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
Lakeland +
Las Cruces
$55,176
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
Lakeland +
Las Cruces
$30,804
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Las Cruces
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Las Cruces
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Las Cruces
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | $55,176 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | $30,804 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $53,141 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 7.4% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 22.0% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 37.3% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
Las Cruces
55.6%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $290,963 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 55.6% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Las Cruces
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
Las Cruces
3177
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 834 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 3177 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
38.9%
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Cruces +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
Las Cruces
13.0%
Las Cruces +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
Lakeland +
Las Cruces
17.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
Las Cruces
14.9%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.9% | 35.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 13.0% | Las Cruces + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 15.8% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 17.7% | Lakeland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.9% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.1% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
72.6°F
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Las Cruces +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.6°F | 58.8°F | Las Cruces + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakeland
25.6 min
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 20.5 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakeland leads in median household income at $60,465, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Lakeland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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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