Las Cruces NM vs Las Vegas NV — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Las Cruces, NM
New Mexico · Population: 112,612
- Median HH Income$55,176
- Median Home Price$290,963
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+37.3%
Las Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 650,873
- Median HH Income$70,723
- Median Home Price$426,069
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+27.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Las Vegas
650,873
Las Vegas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Las Vegas
38.5
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Las Vegas
20.9%
Las Vegas +
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
Las Vegas
49.2%
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Las Vegas
11.9%
Las Vegas +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Las Vegas
6.9%
Las Vegas +
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Las Vegas
34.1%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 650,873 | Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 38.5 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 20.9% | Las Vegas + |
| White | 54.1% | 49.2% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 2.6% | 11.9% | Las Vegas + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 6.9% | Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 34.1% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Las Vegas
$70,723
Las Vegas +
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Las Vegas
$38,421
Las Vegas +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Las Vegas
$62,696
Las Vegas +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Las Vegas
7.2%
Las Vegas +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Las Vegas
14.2%
Las Vegas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
Las Vegas
27.3%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $70,723 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $38,421 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $62,696 | Las Vegas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 7.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 14.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 27.3% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Las Vegas
$426,069
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Vegas
55.7%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $426,069 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 55.7% | Las Vegas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Las Vegas
460
Las Vegas +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Las Vegas
2417
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 460 | Las Vegas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2417 | Las Vegas + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Vegas
32.4%
Las Vegas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Las Vegas
12.5%
Las Vegas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
Las Vegas
19.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Las Vegas
17.0%
Las Vegas +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Las Vegas
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
Las Vegas
15.6%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 32.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.5% | Las Vegas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 19.5% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 17.0% | Las Vegas + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 15.6% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Las Cruces +
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Las Vegas
5.1 in
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | 67.4°F | Las Cruces + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 5.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Las Vegas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Las Cruces +
Las Vegas
27.7 min
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 27.7 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Vegas leads in median household income at $70,723, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Las Vegas is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Las Vegas has a lower unemployment rate at 7.2%, and Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Las Vegas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.4%.
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