Las Cruces NM vs Lincoln NE — 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%
Lincoln, NE
Nebraska · Population: 291,932
- Median HH Income$69,991
- Median Home Price$293,233
- Unemployment3.3%
- Bachelor's+40.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Lincoln
33.4
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Las Cruces +
Lincoln
9.2%
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Lincoln
4.2%
Lincoln +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Lincoln
4.5%
Lincoln +
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Lincoln
8.8%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 291,932 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 33.4 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 9.2% | Las Cruces + |
| White | 54.1% | 80.9% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 2.6% | 4.2% | Lincoln + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 4.5% | Lincoln + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 8.8% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Lincoln
$69,991
Lincoln +
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Lincoln
$39,187
Lincoln +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Lincoln
$66,354
Lincoln +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $69,991 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $39,187 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $66,354 | Lincoln + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 3.3% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 12.6% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 40.9% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Lincoln
$293,233
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Lincoln
55.8%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $293,233 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 55.8% | Lincoln + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Lincoln
1960
Lincoln +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 294 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1960 | Lincoln + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Lincoln
35.1%
Lincoln +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
Lincoln
12.5%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 35.1% | Lincoln + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 9.5% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 15.2% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 9.6% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 20.6% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.5% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Lincoln
51.6°F
Lincoln +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Lincoln
29.0 in
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | 51.6°F | Lincoln + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 29.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 20.0 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lincoln leads in median household income at $69,991, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Lincoln is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Lincoln has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lincoln scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
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