Las Cruces NM vs Modesto CA — 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%
Modesto, CA
California · Population: 218,614
- Median HH Income$77,899
- Median Home Price$447,353
- Unemployment7.3%
- Bachelor's+20.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Modesto
218,614
Modesto +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Modesto
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Modesto
35.4
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Modesto
18.7%
Modesto +
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
Modesto
50.8%
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Modesto
4.7%
Modesto +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Modesto
43.9%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Modesto
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 218,614 | Modesto + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 35.4 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 18.7% | Modesto + |
| White | 54.1% | 50.8% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 2.6% | 4.7% | Modesto + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 7.4% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 43.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Modesto
$77,899
Modesto +
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Modesto
$34,656
Modesto +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Modesto
7.3%
Modesto +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
Modesto
20.3%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $77,899 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $34,656 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $77,230 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 7.3% | Modesto + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 13.0% | Modesto + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 20.3% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Modesto
$447,353
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $447,353 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 58.4% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Modesto
503
Modesto +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Modesto
2388
Modesto +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 503 | Modesto + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2388 | Modesto + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Cruces +
Modesto
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Modesto
12.1%
Modesto +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
Modesto
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Modesto
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
Modesto
13.7%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 36.2% | Las Cruces + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.1% | Modesto + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 19.0% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 13.0% | Modesto + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.5% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 13.7% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Las Cruces +
Modesto
63.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Modesto
13.1 in
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | 63.7°F | Las Cruces + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 13.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Modesto
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 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 +
Modesto
30.5 min
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 30.5 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Modesto leads in median household income at $77,899, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Modesto is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Modesto has a lower unemployment rate at 7.3%, 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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