Lancaster CA 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)
Lancaster, CA
California · Population: 170,013
- Median HH Income$76,083
- Median Home Price$466,147
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+20.1%
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
Lancaster
170,013
Lancaster +
Las Cruces
112,612
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lancaster
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
Median Age
Lancaster
34.2
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Foreign Born
Lancaster
13.9%
Lancaster +
Las Cruces
10.1%
White
Lancaster
35.5%
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
Black
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Las Cruces
2.6%
Asian
Lancaster
4.0%
Lancaster +
Las Cruces
1.9%
Hispanic
Lancaster
45.9%
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Spanish at Home
Lancaster
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 112,612 | Lancaster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 32.7 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 10.1% | Lancaster + |
| White | 35.5% | 54.1% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 21.4% | 2.6% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 1.9% | Lancaster + |
| Hispanic | 45.9% | 59.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Las Cruces
$55,176
Per Capita Income
Lancaster
$29,766
Las Cruces
$30,804
Las Cruces +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Las Cruces
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Lancaster
7.1%
Lancaster +
Las Cruces
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Lancaster
15.5%
Lancaster +
Las Cruces
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lancaster
20.1%
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,083 | $55,176 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,766 | $30,804 | Las Cruces + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $53,141 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 7.4% | Lancaster + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 22.0% | Lancaster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.1% | 37.3% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lancaster
$466,147
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Homeownership Rate
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
Las Cruces
55.6%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $466,147 | $290,963 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 55.6% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
503
Lancaster +
Las Cruces
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
2388
Lancaster +
Las Cruces
3177
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 834 | Lancaster + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3177 | Lancaster + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Las Cruces
35.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.6%
Lancaster +
Las Cruces
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lancaster
19.3%
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.9%
Lancaster +
Las Cruces
17.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
15.8%
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
14.0%
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 35.4% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 13.0% | Lancaster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.3% | 15.8% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 17.7% | Lancaster + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 14.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.1% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
62.1°F
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Las Cruces +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
7.4 in
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 58.8°F | Las Cruces + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lancaster
75.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lancaster
33.0 min
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.0 min | 20.5 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Lancaster is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Lancaster has a lower unemployment rate at 7.1%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lancaster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
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