Las Cruces NM vs Macon GA — 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%
Macon, GA
Georgia · Population: 61,773
- Median HH Income$70,086
- Median Home Price$171,916
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+46.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Las Cruces +
Macon
61,773
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Macon
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Macon
35.2
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Macon
18.3%
Macon +
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
Macon
43.7%
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Macon
30.4%
Macon +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Macon
2.0%
Macon +
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Macon
19.8%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 61,773 | Las Cruces + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 35.2 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 18.3% | Macon + |
| White | 54.1% | 43.7% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 2.6% | 30.4% | Macon + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 2.0% | Macon + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 19.8% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Macon
$70,086
Macon +
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Macon
$43,074
Macon +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Macon
$57,405
Macon +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Macon
3.9%
Macon +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Macon
12.7%
Macon +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Macon
46.8%
Macon +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $70,086 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $43,074 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $57,405 | Macon + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 3.9% | Macon + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 12.7% | Macon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 46.8% | Macon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Macon
$171,916
Macon +
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
Macon
47.2%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $171,916 | Macon + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 47.2% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Macon
392
Macon +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Macon
1752
Macon +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 392 | Macon + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1752 | Macon + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Macon
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Macon
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Macon
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Macon
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Macon
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Macon, GA | 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
Las Cruces +
Macon
64.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Macon
45.7 in
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | 64.6°F | Las Cruces + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 45.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Macon
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Las Cruces +
Macon
55.0%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 9.8 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
Las Cruces +
Macon
30.2 min
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 30.2 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Macon leads in median household income at $70,086, while macon offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $171,916. On public safety, Macon is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Macon has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Las Cruces, NM vs New York, NYLas Cruces, NM vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Las Cruces, NMHouston, TX vs Las Cruces, NMLas Cruces, NM vs Phoenix, AZLas Cruces, NM vs Philadelphia, PA