Las Cruces NM vs Miami Gardens FL — 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%
Miami Gardens, FL
Florida · Population: 11,627
- Median HH Income$137,873
- Median Home Price$472,888
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+64.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Las Cruces +
Miami Gardens
11,627
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Miami Gardens
37.7
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Miami Gardens
29.1%
Miami Gardens +
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
Miami Gardens
52.5%
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Miami Gardens
15.3%
Miami Gardens +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Miami Gardens
3.5%
Miami Gardens +
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Miami Gardens
34.0%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 11,627 | Las Cruces + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 37.7 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 29.1% | Miami Gardens + |
| White | 54.1% | 52.5% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 2.6% | 15.3% | Miami Gardens + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 3.5% | Miami Gardens + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 34.0% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Miami Gardens
$137,873
Miami Gardens +
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Miami Gardens
$57,003
Miami Gardens +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Miami Gardens
$65,328
Miami Gardens +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Miami Gardens
6.5%
Miami Gardens +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Miami Gardens
7.9%
Miami Gardens +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Miami Gardens
64.7%
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $137,873 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $57,003 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $65,328 | Miami Gardens + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 6.5% | Miami Gardens + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 7.9% | Miami Gardens + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 64.7% | Miami Gardens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Miami Gardens
$472,888
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Miami Gardens
86.7%
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $472,888 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 86.7% | Miami Gardens + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Miami Gardens
324
Miami Gardens +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Miami Gardens
1453
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 324 | Miami Gardens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1453 | Miami Gardens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Miami Gardens
34.3%
Miami Gardens +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Las Cruces +
Miami Gardens
17.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
Miami Gardens
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Las Cruces +
Miami Gardens
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Miami Gardens
12.7%
Miami Gardens +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
Miami Gardens
15.4%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 34.3% | Miami Gardens + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 17.3% | Las Cruces + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 17.5% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 22.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 12.7% | Miami Gardens + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 15.4% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Miami Gardens
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Miami Gardens, FL | 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 +
Miami Gardens
7.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Miami Gardens
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 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 +
Miami Gardens
29.2 min
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 29.2 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Miami Gardens leads in median household income at $137,873, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Miami Gardens is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Miami Gardens has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Miami Gardens scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.3%.
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