Las Cruces NM vs Mount Vernon NY — 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%
Mount Vernon, NY
New York · Population: 72,528
- Median HH Income$77,171
- Median Home Price$579,771
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+35.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Las Cruces +
Mount Vernon
72,528
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Mount Vernon
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Mount Vernon
41.9
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Mount Vernon
31.9%
Mount Vernon +
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
Mount Vernon
16.2%
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Mount Vernon
60.4%
Mount Vernon +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Mount Vernon
2.2%
Mount Vernon +
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Mount Vernon
18.3%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Mount Vernon
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 72,528 | Las Cruces + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 41.9 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 31.9% | Mount Vernon + |
| White | 54.1% | 16.2% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 2.6% | 60.4% | Mount Vernon + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 2.2% | Mount Vernon + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 18.3% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Mount Vernon
$77,171
Mount Vernon +
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Mount Vernon
$42,158
Mount Vernon +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Mount Vernon
$77,425
Mount Vernon +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Mount Vernon
6.9%
Mount Vernon +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Mount Vernon +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
Mount Vernon
35.0%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $77,171 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $42,158 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $77,425 | Mount Vernon + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 6.9% | Mount Vernon + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 13.6% | Mount Vernon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 35.0% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Mount Vernon
$579,771
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
Mount Vernon
42.1%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $579,771 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 42.1% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Mount Vernon
434
Mount Vernon +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Mount Vernon
1736
Mount Vernon +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 434 | Mount Vernon + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1736 | Mount Vernon + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Mount Vernon
33.2%
Mount Vernon +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Las Cruces +
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
Mount Vernon
16.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Mount Vernon
9.3%
Mount Vernon +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
Mount Vernon
12.8%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 33.2% | Mount Vernon + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.6% | Las Cruces + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 16.3% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 9.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 12.8% | Mount Vernon + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.8% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Mount Vernon
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Mount Vernon
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Mount Vernon, NY | 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 +
Mount Vernon
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Mount Vernon
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Mount Vernon, NY | 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 +
Mount Vernon
38.6 min
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 38.6 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mount Vernon leads in median household income at $77,171, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Mount Vernon is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Mount Vernon has a lower unemployment rate at 6.9%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mount Vernon scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.2%.
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