Las Cruces NM vs Oceanside CA — 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%
Oceanside, CA
California · Population: 172,542
- Median HH Income$93,724
- Median Home Price$877,452
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+34.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Oceanside
172,542
Oceanside +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Oceanside
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Oceanside
38.1
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Oceanside
20.9%
Oceanside +
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
Oceanside
52.9%
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Oceanside
4.2%
Oceanside +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Oceanside
7.4%
Oceanside +
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Oceanside
38.5%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Oceanside
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 172,542 | Oceanside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 38.1 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 20.9% | Oceanside + |
| White | 54.1% | 52.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 2.6% | 4.2% | Oceanside + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 7.4% | Oceanside + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 38.5% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Oceanside
$93,724
Oceanside +
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Oceanside
$43,094
Oceanside +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Oceanside
$77,230
Oceanside +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Oceanside
5.4%
Oceanside +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Oceanside
8.1%
Oceanside +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
Oceanside
34.3%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $93,724 | Oceanside + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $43,094 | Oceanside + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $77,230 | Oceanside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 5.4% | Oceanside + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 8.1% | Oceanside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 34.3% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Oceanside
$877,452
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Oceanside
58.5%
Oceanside +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $877,452 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 58.5% | Oceanside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Oceanside
503
Oceanside +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Oceanside
2388
Oceanside +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 503 | Oceanside + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2388 | Oceanside + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Oceanside
26.1%
Oceanside +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Oceanside
10.4%
Oceanside +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
Oceanside
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Oceanside
9.7%
Oceanside +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Oceanside
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Oceanside
10.6%
Oceanside +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 26.1% | Oceanside + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 10.4% | Oceanside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 16.9% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 9.7% | Oceanside + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.5% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 10.6% | Oceanside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Oceanside
55.3°F
Oceanside +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Oceanside
20.7 in
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | 55.3°F | Oceanside + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 20.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Oceanside
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Oceanside
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Las Cruces +
Oceanside
31.8 min
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 31.8 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oceanside leads in median household income at $93,724, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Oceanside is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Oceanside has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Oceanside scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.1%.
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