Las Cruces NM vs Murfreesboro TN — 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%
Murfreesboro, TN
Tennessee · Population: 40,828
- Median HH Income$107,847
- Median Home Price$427,410
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Las Cruces +
Murfreesboro
40,828
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Murfreesboro
39.1
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Las Cruces +
Murfreesboro
9.8%
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Murfreesboro +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Murfreesboro +
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 40,828 | Las Cruces + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 39.1 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 9.8% | Las Cruces + |
| White | 54.1% | 78.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 2.6% | 7.7% | Murfreesboro + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 4.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 7.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Murfreesboro +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $107,847 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $54,633 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $59,097 | Murfreesboro + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 3.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 4.1% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 49.5% | Murfreesboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $427,410 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 74.9% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Murfreesboro
639
Murfreesboro +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Murfreesboro
2350
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 639 | Murfreesboro + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2350 | Murfreesboro + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Cruces +
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Murfreesboro +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
Murfreesboro
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Murfreesboro +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
Murfreesboro
14.0%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 37.3% | Las Cruces + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 9.9% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 20.4% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 11.0% | Murfreesboro + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.5% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 14.0% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Murfreesboro +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | 58.3°F | Murfreesboro + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 8.9 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 +
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 33.8 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murfreesboro leads in median household income at $107,847, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Murfreesboro is safer with a violent crime rate of 639 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Murfreesboro has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, 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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