Las Cruces NM vs Meridian ID — 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%
Meridian, ID
Idaho · Population: 124,865
- Median HH Income$98,686
- Median Home Price$534,732
- Unemployment2.4%
- Bachelor's+44.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Meridian
124,865
Meridian +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Meridian
37.4
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Las Cruces +
Meridian
4.8%
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Las Cruces +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Meridian
2.1%
Meridian +
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Meridian
9.5%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 124,865 | Meridian + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 37.4 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 4.8% | Las Cruces + |
| White | 54.1% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 2.6% | 1.6% | Las Cruces + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 2.1% | Meridian + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 9.5% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Meridian
$57,074
Meridian +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $98,686 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $47,751 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $57,074 | Meridian + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 44.4% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Meridian
$534,732
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $534,732 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 251 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Meridian
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 28.8% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 15.5% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 8.2% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 17.6% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 10.3% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 7.7 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 +
Meridian
23.6 min
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 23.6 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Meridian scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.8%.
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