Las Cruces NM vs Little Rock AR — 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%
Little Rock, AR
Arkansas · Population: 202,739
- Median HH Income$60,583
- Median Home Price$216,863
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Little Rock
36.4
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Las Cruces +
Little Rock
7.9%
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
Little Rock
46.4%
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Little Rock
3.0%
Little Rock +
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Little Rock
10.4%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 202,739 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 36.4 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 7.9% | Las Cruces + |
| White | 54.1% | 46.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 2.6% | 39.4% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 3.0% | Little Rock + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 10.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Little Rock
$60,583
Little Rock +
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Little Rock
$53,714
Little Rock +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Little Rock
16.4%
Little Rock +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $60,583 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $43,242 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $53,714 | Little Rock + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 4.2% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 16.4% | Little Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 44.0% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
Little Rock
54.2%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $216,863 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 54.2% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Little Rock
660
Little Rock +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Little Rock
2507
Little Rock +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 660 | Little Rock + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2507 | Little Rock + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Cruces +
Little Rock
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Las Cruces +
Little Rock
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
Little Rock
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
Little Rock
13.3%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 40.5% | Las Cruces + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.1% | Las Cruces + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 17.5% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 11.4% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.3% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 13.3% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Las Cruces +
Little Rock
62.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Little Rock
50.0 in
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | 62.7°F | Las Cruces + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Las Cruces +
Little Rock
55.0%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Las Cruces + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 20.0 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Little Rock leads in median household income at $60,583, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Little Rock is safer with a violent crime rate of 660 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, 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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