Las Cruces NM vs Minneapolis MN — 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%
Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota · Population: 426,845
- Median HH Income$80,269
- Median Home Price$334,719
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+54.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Minneapolis
426,845
Minneapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Minneapolis
33.0
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Minneapolis
14.1%
Minneapolis +
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Minneapolis
61.6%
Minneapolis +
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Minneapolis
18.3%
Minneapolis +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Minneapolis
5.2%
Minneapolis +
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Minneapolis
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 426,845 | Minneapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 33.0 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 14.1% | Minneapolis + |
| White | 54.1% | 61.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Black | 2.6% | 18.3% | Minneapolis + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 5.2% | Minneapolis + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 10.5% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Minneapolis
$80,269
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Minneapolis
$50,605
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Minneapolis
$69,467
Minneapolis +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Minneapolis
5.7%
Minneapolis +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Minneapolis
16.4%
Minneapolis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Minneapolis
54.4%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $80,269 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $50,605 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $69,467 | Minneapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 5.7% | Minneapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 16.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 54.4% | Minneapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Minneapolis
$334,719
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
Minneapolis
48.0%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $334,719 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 48.0% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Minneapolis
1992
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 284 | Minneapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1992 | Minneapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Minneapolis
28.6%
Minneapolis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
Minneapolis
17.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Minneapolis
9.9%
Minneapolis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Minneapolis
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
Minneapolis
12.7%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 28.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 7.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 17.1% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 9.9% | Minneapolis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 19.8% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.7% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Minneapolis +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Minneapolis
30.6 in
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | 46.3°F | Minneapolis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 30.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Minneapolis
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 8.1 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 +
Minneapolis
24.2 min
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 24.2 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Minneapolis leads in median household income at $80,269, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Minneapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Minneapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Minneapolis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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