Las Cruces NM vs Mobile AL — 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%
Mobile, AL
Alabama · Population: 185,097
- Median HH Income$51,090
- Median Home Price$197,044
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Mobile
185,097
Mobile +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Mobile
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Mobile
37.7
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Las Cruces +
Mobile
3.8%
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
Mobile
39.9%
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Mobile
2.1%
Mobile +
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Mobile
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Mobile
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 185,097 | Mobile + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 37.7 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 3.8% | Las Cruces + |
| White | 54.1% | 39.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 2.6% | 52.9% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 2.1% | Mobile + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 3.1% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Las Cruces +
Mobile
$51,090
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Mobile
$32,893
Mobile +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Las Cruces +
Mobile
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Mobile
5.9%
Mobile +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Mobile
18.9%
Mobile +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
Mobile
31.5%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $51,090 | Las Cruces + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $32,893 | Mobile + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $51,690 | Las Cruces + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 5.9% | Mobile + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 18.9% | Mobile + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 31.5% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
Mobile
51.4%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $197,044 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 51.4% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Mobile
400
Mobile +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Mobile
1734
Mobile +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 400 | Mobile + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1734 | Mobile + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Cruces +
Mobile
40.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Las Cruces +
Mobile
17.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
Mobile
17.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Mobile
10.2%
Mobile +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
Mobile
14.9%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 40.0% | Las Cruces + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 17.0% | Las Cruces + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 17.3% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 10.2% | Mobile + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 13.1% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 14.9% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Las Cruces +
Mobile
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Mobile
65.3 in
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | 67.4°F | Las Cruces + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Mobile
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 8.8 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 +
Mobile
24.5 min
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 24.5 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Cruces leads in median household income at $55,176, while mobile offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $197,044. On public safety, Mobile is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Mobile 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%.
Compare More Cities
Las Cruces, NM vs New York, NYLas Cruces, NM vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Las Cruces, NMHouston, TX vs Las Cruces, NMLas Cruces, NM vs Phoenix, AZLas Cruces, NM vs Philadelphia, PA