Las Cruces NM vs Lowell MA — 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%
Lowell, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 114,799
- Median HH Income$76,205
- Median Home Price$484,226
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Lowell
114,799
Lowell +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Lowell
35.5
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
Lowell
50.9%
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Lowell
19.3%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 114,799 | Lowell + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 35.5 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 54.1% | 50.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 2.6% | 10.8% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 19.3% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Lowell
$36,138
Lowell +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Lowell
5.4%
Lowell +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Lowell
16.0%
Lowell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
Lowell
29.9%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $76,205 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $36,138 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 5.4% | Lowell + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 16.0% | Lowell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 29.9% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Lowell
$484,226
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
Lowell
44.0%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $484,226 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 44.0% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 326 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
Lowell
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Lowell
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
Lowell
14.1%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 27.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 10.9% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 18.5% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 8.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.1% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 14.1% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Lowell
47.0 in
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | 48.5°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 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 +
Lowell
30.1 min
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 30.1 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Lowell has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lowell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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