Las Cruces NM vs Madison WI — 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%
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Madison
11.6%
Madison +
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Madison
7.1%
Madison +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Madison
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 275,568 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 31.8 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 11.6% | Madison + |
| White | 54.1% | 73.0% | Madison + |
| Black | 2.6% | 7.1% | Madison + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 8.0% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 9.3% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Madison
$61,837
Madison +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Madison
16.2%
Madison +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $76,983 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $48,557 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $61,837 | Madison + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 16.2% | Madison + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 59.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Madison
$429,253
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
Madison
46.6%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $429,253 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 46.6% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Madison
309
Madison +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 309 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
Madison
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 32.7% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 16.5% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 7.9% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 20.8% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 10.2% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Madison
37.3 in
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | 46.7°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 37.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Las Cruces +
Madison
55.0%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 9.3 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 +
Madison
21.2 min
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 21.2 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison leads in median household income at $76,983, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Madison scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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