Las Cruces NM vs Milwaukee WI — 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%
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Milwaukee
10.8%
Milwaukee +
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
Milwaukee
36.5%
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Milwaukee
20.7%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 569,756 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 32.2 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 10.8% | Milwaukee + |
| White | 54.1% | 36.5% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 2.6% | 38.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 4.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 20.7% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Las Cruces +
Milwaukee
$51,888
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Las Cruces +
Milwaukee
$29,679
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Milwaukee
$61,837
Milwaukee +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Milwaukee
5.9%
Milwaukee +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Las Cruces +
Milwaukee
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
Milwaukee
26.6%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $51,888 | Las Cruces + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $29,679 | Las Cruces + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $61,837 | Milwaukee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 5.9% | Milwaukee + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 23.3% | Las Cruces + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 26.6% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
Milwaukee
41.5%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $226,456 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 41.5% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 309 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1392 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Cruces +
Milwaukee
41.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Las Cruces +
Milwaukee
14.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
Milwaukee
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Milwaukee
14.1%
Milwaukee +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Milwaukee
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
Milwaukee
17.3%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 41.8% | Las Cruces + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 14.7% | Las Cruces + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 19.1% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 14.1% | Milwaukee + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.3% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 17.3% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Milwaukee
35.5 in
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | 47.5°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 35.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Las Cruces +
Milwaukee
55.0%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 9.3 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 +
Milwaukee
24.1 min
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 24.1 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Cruces leads in median household income at $55,176, while milwaukee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,456. On public safety, Milwaukee is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Milwaukee has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, 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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