Las Cruces NM vs Memphis TN — 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%
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Memphis
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Memphis
34.3
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Las Cruces +
Memphis
7.4%
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
Memphis
25.0%
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Las Cruces +
Memphis
1.7%
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Memphis
10.2%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Memphis
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 629,063 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 34.3 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 7.4% | Las Cruces + |
| White | 54.1% | 25.0% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 2.6% | 62.9% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 1.7% | Las Cruces + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 10.2% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Las Cruces +
Memphis
$51,211
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Memphis
$32,314
Memphis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Memphis
$59,097
Memphis +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Las Cruces +
Memphis
8.3%
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Las Cruces +
Memphis
22.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
Memphis
28.2%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $51,211 | Las Cruces + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $32,314 | Memphis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $59,097 | Memphis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 8.3% | Las Cruces + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 22.5% | Las Cruces + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 28.2% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
Memphis
46.0%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $147,306 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 46.0% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Memphis
639
Memphis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Memphis
2350
Memphis +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 639 | Memphis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2350 | Memphis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Cruces +
Memphis
42.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Las Cruces +
Memphis
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
Memphis
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Memphis
14.9%
Memphis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
Memphis
19.9%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 42.1% | Las Cruces + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 17.6% | Las Cruces + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 20.7% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 14.9% | Memphis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 13.5% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 19.9% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Las Cruces +
Memphis
60.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Memphis
54.9 in
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | 60.9°F | Las Cruces + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.9 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Memphis
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Las Cruces +
Memphis
22.9 min
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 22.9 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Cruces leads in median household income at $55,176, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Memphis is safer with a violent crime rate of 639 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Las Cruces has a lower unemployment rate at 7.4%, 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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