Las Cruces NM vs Lubbock TX — 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%
Lubbock, TX
Texas · Population: 261,078
- Median HH Income$60,487
- Median Home Price$210,477
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+34.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Lubbock
261,078
Lubbock +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Lubbock
30.4
Lubbock +
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Las Cruces +
Lubbock
6.2%
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Lubbock
64.6%
Lubbock +
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Lubbock
8.3%
Lubbock +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Lubbock
2.8%
Lubbock +
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Lubbock
36.8%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 261,078 | Lubbock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 30.4 | Lubbock + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 6.2% | Las Cruces + |
| White | 54.1% | 64.6% | Lubbock + |
| Black | 2.6% | 8.3% | Lubbock + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 2.8% | Lubbock + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 36.8% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Lubbock
$60,487
Lubbock +
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Lubbock
$34,629
Lubbock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Lubbock
$63,758
Lubbock +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Lubbock
4.8%
Lubbock +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Lubbock
19.0%
Lubbock +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
Lubbock
34.9%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $60,487 | Lubbock + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $34,629 | Lubbock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $63,758 | Lubbock + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 4.8% | Lubbock + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 19.0% | Lubbock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 34.9% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Lubbock
$210,477
Lubbock +
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
Lubbock
50.8%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $210,477 | Lubbock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 50.8% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Lubbock
442
Lubbock +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Lubbock
2339
Lubbock +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 442 | Lubbock + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2339 | Lubbock + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Cruces +
Lubbock
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Lubbock
11.8%
Lubbock +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
Lubbock
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Las Cruces +
Lubbock
18.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Lubbock
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
Lubbock
13.0%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 35.8% | Las Cruces + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.8% | Lubbock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 18.5% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 18.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 17.6% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 13.0% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Lubbock
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Lubbock
21.1 in
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 21.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Las Cruces +
Lubbock
55.0%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 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
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 17.4 min | Lubbock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lubbock leads in median household income at $60,487, while lubbock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,477. On public safety, Lubbock is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Lubbock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, 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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