Las Cruces NM vs Norman OK — 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%
Norman, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 128,714
- Median HH Income$65,060
- Median Home Price$264,711
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+46.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Norman
128,714
Norman +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Norman
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Las Cruces +
Norman
7.2%
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Norman
5.1%
Norman +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Norman
4.2%
Norman +
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Norman
9.0%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Norman
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 128,714 | Norman + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 31.6 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 7.2% | Las Cruces + |
| White | 54.1% | 73.0% | Norman + |
| Black | 2.6% | 5.1% | Norman + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 4.2% | Norman + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 9.0% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Norman
$65,060
Norman +
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Norman
$37,897
Norman +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Norman
$57,929
Norman +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Norman
5.7%
Norman +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Norman
17.0%
Norman +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $65,060 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $37,897 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $57,929 | Norman + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 5.7% | Norman + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 17.0% | Norman + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 46.2% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Norman
$264,711
Norman +
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
Norman
52.7%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $264,711 | Norman + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 52.7% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Norman
429
Norman +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Norman
2375
Norman +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 429 | Norman + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2375 | Norman + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Cruces +
Norman
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
Norman
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
Norman
12.8%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 35.8% | Las Cruces + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 9.8% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 18.8% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 9.2% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.0% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.8% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Las Cruces +
Norman
60.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Norman
38.9 in
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | 60.2°F | Las Cruces + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 38.9 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Norman
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 8.8 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 +
Norman
24.2 min
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 24.2 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norman leads in median household income at $65,060, while norman offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,711. On public safety, Norman is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Norman has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, 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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