Las Cruces NM vs New York 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%
New York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
New York
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
New York
38.0
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
New York
36.5%
New York +
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
New York
35.9%
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
New York
22.7%
New York +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
New York
14.6%
New York +
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
New York
28.4%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
New York
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 8,516,202 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 38.0 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 36.5% | New York + |
| White | 54.1% | 35.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 2.6% | 22.7% | New York + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 14.6% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 28.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
New York
$79,713
New York +
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
New York
$50,776
New York +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
New York
$77,425
New York +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Las Cruces +
New York
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
New York
17.4%
New York +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
New York
41.0%
New York +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $79,713 | New York + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $50,776 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $77,425 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 7.7% | Las Cruces + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 17.4% | New York + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 41.0% | New York + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
New York
$816,078
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
New York
32.8%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $816,078 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 32.8% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
New York
434
New York +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
New York
1736
New York +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 434 | New York + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1736 | New York + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
New York
25.1%
New York +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
New York
11.9%
New York +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
New York
15.4%
New York +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
New York
10.6%
New York +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
New York
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
New York
11.4%
New York +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 25.1% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.9% | New York + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 15.4% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 10.6% | New York + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 11.4% | New York + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
New York
55.4°F
New York +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
New York
46.6 in
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | 55.4°F | New York + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
New York
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
New York
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | New York, 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 +
New York
44.2 min
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 44.2 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
New York leads in median household income at $79,713, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, New York is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Las Cruces has a lower unemployment rate at 7.4%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
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