Laredo TX 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)
Laredo, TX
Texas · Population: 255,949
- Median HH Income$63,264
- Median Home Price$221,806
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+21.5%
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
Laredo
255,949
Laredo +
Las Cruces
112,612
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Laredo
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
Median Age
Laredo
29.7
Laredo +
Las Cruces
32.7
Foreign Born
Laredo
25.4%
Laredo +
Las Cruces
10.1%
White
Laredo
37.6%
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
Black
Laredo
0.5%
Las Cruces
2.6%
Las Cruces +
Asian
Laredo
0.5%
Las Cruces
1.9%
Las Cruces +
Hispanic
Laredo
95.2%
Laredo +
Las Cruces
59.4%
Spanish at Home
Laredo
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 255,949 | 112,612 | Laredo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.7 | 32.7 | Laredo + |
| Foreign Born | 25.4% | 10.1% | Laredo + |
| White | 37.6% | 54.1% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 0.5% | 2.6% | Las Cruces + |
| Asian | 0.5% | 1.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Hispanic | 95.2% | 59.4% | Laredo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Laredo
$63,264
Laredo +
Las Cruces
$55,176
Per Capita Income
Laredo
$24,584
Las Cruces
$30,804
Las Cruces +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Laredo
$63,758
Laredo +
Las Cruces
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Laredo
5.5%
Laredo +
Las Cruces
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Laredo
20.8%
Laredo +
Las Cruces
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Laredo
21.5%
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,264 | $55,176 | Laredo + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,584 | $30,804 | Las Cruces + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $53,141 | Laredo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 7.4% | Laredo + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.8% | 22.0% | Laredo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 37.3% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Laredo
$221,806
Laredo +
Las Cruces
$290,963
Homeownership Rate
Laredo
63.3%
Laredo +
Las Cruces
55.6%
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $221,806 | $290,963 | Laredo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 55.6% | Laredo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Laredo
442
Laredo +
Las Cruces
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Laredo
2339
Laredo +
Las Cruces
3177
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 834 | Laredo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3177 | Laredo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Laredo
42.2%
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Cruces +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Laredo
16.4%
Las Cruces
13.0%
Las Cruces +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Laredo
17.3%
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Laredo
35.7%
Las Cruces
17.7%
Las Cruces +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Laredo
16.2%
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Laredo
13.1%
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 35.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 13.0% | Las Cruces + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 15.8% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 35.7% | 17.7% | Las Cruces + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 12.1% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Laredo
74.2°F
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Las Cruces +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Laredo
20.2 in
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.2°F | 58.8°F | Las Cruces + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Laredo
9.2 µg/m³
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Laredo
55.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Las Cruces + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Laredo
22.7 min
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 20.5 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Laredo leads in median household income at $63,264, while laredo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $221,806. On public safety, Laredo is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Laredo 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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