Las Cruces NM vs Manchester NH — 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%
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Manchester
115,415
Manchester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Manchester
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Manchester
37.9
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Manchester
14.8%
Manchester +
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Manchester
5.3%
Manchester +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Manchester
4.6%
Manchester +
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Manchester
13.5%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Manchester
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 115,415 | Manchester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 37.9 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 14.8% | Manchester + |
| White | 54.1% | 76.7% | Manchester + |
| Black | 2.6% | 5.3% | Manchester + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 4.6% | Manchester + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 13.5% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Manchester
$77,415
Manchester +
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Manchester
$44,220
Manchester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Manchester
$75,331
Manchester +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
Manchester
33.5%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $77,415 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $44,220 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $75,331 | Manchester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 3.8% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 10.7% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 33.5% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Manchester
$441,257
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
Manchester
49.3%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $441,257 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 49.3% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 134 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1048 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Manchester
35.0%
Manchester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Manchester
9.4%
Manchester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
Manchester
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Manchester
9.9%
Manchester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Manchester
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
Manchester
12.9%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 35.0% | Manchester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 9.4% | Manchester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 17.4% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 9.9% | Manchester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.9% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Manchester
49.2°F
Manchester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Manchester
44.6 in
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | 49.2°F | Manchester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 44.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Manchester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Las Cruces +
Manchester
25.7 min
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 25.7 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Manchester leads in median household income at $77,415, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Manchester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Manchester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.0%.
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