Las Cruces NM vs Norfolk VA — 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%
Norfolk, VA
Virginia · Population: 235,037
- Median HH Income$64,017
- Median Home Price$310,519
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+32.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Las Cruces +
Norfolk
7.7%
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
Norfolk
44.0%
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Norfolk
9.9%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 235,037 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 32.4 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 7.7% | Las Cruces + |
| White | 54.1% | 44.0% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 2.6% | 39.8% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 3.7% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 9.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Norfolk
$64,017
Norfolk +
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Norfolk
6.1%
Norfolk +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Norfolk
17.3%
Norfolk +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
Norfolk
32.7%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $64,017 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $37,433 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $69,581 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 6.1% | Norfolk + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 17.3% | Norfolk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 32.7% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Norfolk
$310,519
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
Norfolk
45.7%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $310,519 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 45.7% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 240 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1726 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Cruces +
Norfolk
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
Norfolk
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Norfolk
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
Norfolk
13.7%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 39.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.4% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 19.4% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 10.9% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 17.1% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 13.7% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Las Cruces +
Norfolk
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Norfolk
50.8 in
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | 60.6°F | Las Cruces + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 8.2 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 +
Norfolk
24.4 min
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 24.4 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norfolk leads in median household income at $64,017, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Norfolk has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, 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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