Las Cruces NM vs Nashua NH — 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%
Nashua, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 91,131
- Median HH Income$92,457
- Median Home Price$507,692
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+40.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Las Cruces +
Nashua
91,131
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Nashua
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Nashua
39.7
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Nashua
16.4%
Nashua +
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Nashua
75.1%
Nashua +
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Nashua
2.6%
Nashua +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Nashua
7.6%
Nashua +
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Nashua
14.0%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Nashua
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 91,131 | Las Cruces + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 39.7 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 16.4% | Nashua + |
| White | 54.1% | 75.1% | Nashua + |
| Black | 2.6% | 2.6% | Nashua + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 7.6% | Nashua + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 14.0% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Nashua
$92,457
Nashua +
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Nashua
$50,026
Nashua +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Nashua
$75,331
Nashua +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Nashua
4.8%
Nashua +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Nashua
7.1%
Nashua +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Nashua
40.5%
Nashua +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $92,457 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $50,026 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $75,331 | Nashua + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 4.8% | Nashua + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 7.1% | Nashua + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 40.5% | Nashua + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Nashua
$507,692
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Nashua
56.4%
Nashua +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $507,692 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 56.4% | Nashua + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Nashua
134
Nashua +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Nashua
1048
Nashua +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 134 | Nashua + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1048 | Nashua + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Nashua
33.2%
Nashua +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Nashua
9.4%
Nashua +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Nashua
15.5%
Nashua +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Nashua
8.8%
Nashua +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Nashua
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Nashua
10.9%
Nashua +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 33.2% | Nashua + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 9.4% | Nashua + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 15.5% | Nashua + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 8.8% | Nashua + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.7% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 10.9% | Nashua + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Nashua
47.7°F
Nashua +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Nashua
48.0 in
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | 47.7°F | Nashua + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Nashua
5.9 µg/m³
Nashua +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Nashua
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Nashua + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Las Cruces +
Nashua
27.6 min
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 27.6 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Nashua leads in median household income at $92,457, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Nashua is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Nashua has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Nashua has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Nashua scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.2%.
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