Las Cruces NM vs Nashville 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%
Nashville, TN
Tennessee · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$436,355
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Nashville
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Nashville
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Nashville
N/A
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Nashville
N/A
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Nashville
N/A
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Nashville
N/A
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Nashville
N/A
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Nashville
N/A
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Nashville
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | N/A | - |
| White | 54.1% | N/A | - |
| Black | 2.6% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 1.9% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Nashville
N/A
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Nashville
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Nashville
$59,097
Nashville +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Nashville
N/A
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Nashville
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Nashville
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $59,097 | Nashville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Nashville
$436,355
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Nashville
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $436,355 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Nashville
639
Nashville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Nashville
2350
Nashville +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 639 | Nashville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2350 | Nashville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Nashville
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Nashville
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Nashville
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Nashville
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Nashville
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Nashville
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Nashville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Nashville
47.9 in
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.9 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Nashville
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Nashville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Nashville, 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
Nashville
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Nashville is safer with a violent crime rate of 639 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³).
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