Las Cruces NM vs Louisville KY — 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%
Louisville, KY
Kentucky · Population: 627,210
- Median HH Income$64,731
- Median Home Price$264,957
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+33.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Louisville
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Louisville
37.7
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Las Cruces +
Louisville
9.8%
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Louisville
63.1%
Louisville +
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Louisville
23.7%
Louisville +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Louisville
2.6%
Louisville +
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Louisville
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 627,210 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 37.7 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 9.8% | Las Cruces + |
| White | 54.1% | 63.1% | Louisville + |
| Black | 2.6% | 23.7% | Louisville + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 2.6% | Louisville + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 8.6% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Louisville
$64,731
Louisville +
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Louisville
$38,890
Louisville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Las Cruces +
Louisville
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Louisville
5.0%
Louisville +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Louisville
16.1%
Louisville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
Louisville
33.4%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $64,731 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $38,890 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $52,606 | Las Cruces + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 5.0% | Louisville + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 16.1% | Louisville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 33.4% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Louisville
$264,957
Louisville +
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Louisville
60.6%
Louisville +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $264,957 | Louisville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 60.6% | Louisville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 223 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1505 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Louisville
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Louisville
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Louisville
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Louisville
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Louisville
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Louisville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Louisville
43.3 in
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 43.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Louisville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Las Cruces +
Louisville
24.2 min
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 24.2 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Louisville leads in median household income at $64,731, while louisville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,957. On public safety, Louisville is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Louisville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³).
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