Las Cruces NM vs McKinney 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%
McKinney, TX
Texas · Population: 148,848
- Median HH Income$71,843
- Median Home Price$487,346
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+18.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
McKinney
148,848
McKinney +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
McKinney
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
McKinney
33.4
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
McKinney
21.0%
McKinney +
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
McKinney
37.8%
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
McKinney
24.7%
McKinney +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
McKinney
3.0%
McKinney +
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
McKinney
44.7%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
McKinney
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 148,848 | McKinney + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 33.4 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 21.0% | McKinney + |
| White | 54.1% | 37.8% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 2.6% | 24.7% | McKinney + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 3.0% | McKinney + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 44.7% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
McKinney
$71,843
McKinney +
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Las Cruces +
McKinney
$29,291
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
McKinney
$63,758
McKinney +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
McKinney
4.8%
McKinney +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
McKinney
12.4%
McKinney +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
McKinney
18.5%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $71,843 | McKinney + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $29,291 | Las Cruces + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $63,758 | McKinney + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 4.8% | McKinney + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 12.4% | McKinney + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 18.5% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
McKinney
$487,346
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
McKinney
63.2%
McKinney +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $487,346 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 63.2% | McKinney + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
McKinney
442
McKinney +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
McKinney
2339
McKinney +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 442 | McKinney + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2339 | McKinney + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
McKinney
33.9%
McKinney +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
McKinney
9.1%
McKinney +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
McKinney
15.7%
McKinney +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
McKinney
10.9%
McKinney +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
McKinney
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
McKinney
9.9%
McKinney +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 33.9% | McKinney + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 9.1% | McKinney + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 15.7% | McKinney + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 10.9% | McKinney + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 18.3% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 9.9% | McKinney + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Las Cruces +
McKinney
64.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
McKinney
40.0 in
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | 64.2°F | Las Cruces + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 40.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
McKinney
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Las Cruces +
McKinney
55.0%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | McKinney, 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
Las Cruces +
McKinney
35.6 min
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 35.6 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
McKinney leads in median household income at $71,843, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, McKinney is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. McKinney 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, McKinney scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.9%.
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