Las Cruces NM vs Lynchburg VA — 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%
Lynchburg, VA
Virginia · Population: 79,255
- Median HH Income$59,808
- Median Home Price$264,994
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+38.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Las Cruces +
Lynchburg
79,255
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Las Cruces +
Lynchburg
4.6%
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Lynchburg
62.2%
Lynchburg +
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Lynchburg
27.7%
Lynchburg +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Lynchburg
2.2%
Lynchburg +
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Lynchburg
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 79,255 | Las Cruces + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 28.4 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 4.6% | Las Cruces + |
| White | 54.1% | 62.2% | Lynchburg + |
| Black | 2.6% | 27.7% | Lynchburg + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 2.2% | Lynchburg + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 5.0% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Lynchburg
$59,808
Lynchburg +
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Las Cruces +
Lynchburg
$30,004
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Lynchburg
$69,581
Lynchburg +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Lynchburg
5.0%
Lynchburg +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Lynchburg
17.4%
Lynchburg +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Lynchburg
38.5%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $59,808 | Lynchburg + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $30,004 | Las Cruces + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $69,581 | Lynchburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 5.0% | Lynchburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 17.4% | Lynchburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 38.5% | Lynchburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Lynchburg
$264,994
Lynchburg +
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
Lynchburg
49.1%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $264,994 | Lynchburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 49.1% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Lynchburg
1726
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 240 | Lynchburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1726 | Lynchburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Cruces +
Lynchburg
37.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Lynchburg
11.9%
Lynchburg +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
Lynchburg
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Lynchburg
9.1%
Lynchburg +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Lynchburg
14.8%
Lynchburg +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
Lynchburg
12.9%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 37.1% | Las Cruces + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.9% | Lynchburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 19.4% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 9.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.8% | Lynchburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.9% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Lynchburg +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Lynchburg
41.5 in
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | 54.8°F | Lynchburg + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 41.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Lynchburg
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 18.5 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lynchburg leads in median household income at $59,808, while lynchburg offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,994. On public safety, Lynchburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Lynchburg has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, 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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