Las Cruces NM vs Odessa TX — 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%
Odessa, TX
Texas · Population: 114,080
- Median HH Income$73,030
- Median Home Price$253,423
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Odessa
114,080
Odessa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Odessa
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Odessa
31.0
Odessa +
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Odessa
14.5%
Odessa +
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
Odessa
51.9%
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Odessa
6.8%
Odessa +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Las Cruces +
Odessa
1.9%
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Odessa
61.2%
Odessa +
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Odessa
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 114,080 | Odessa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 31.0 | Odessa + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 14.5% | Odessa + |
| White | 54.1% | 51.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 2.6% | 6.8% | Odessa + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 1.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 61.2% | Odessa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Odessa
$73,030
Odessa +
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Odessa
$35,655
Odessa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Odessa
$63,758
Odessa +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Odessa
5.5%
Odessa +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Odessa
14.4%
Odessa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
Odessa
18.3%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $73,030 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $35,655 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $63,758 | Odessa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 5.5% | Odessa + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 14.4% | Odessa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 18.3% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Odessa
$253,423
Odessa +
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Odessa
59.2%
Odessa +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $253,423 | Odessa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 59.2% | Odessa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Odessa
442
Odessa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Odessa
2339
Odessa +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 442 | Odessa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2339 | Odessa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Cruces +
Odessa
39.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Odessa
12.9%
Odessa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
Odessa
18.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Las Cruces +
Odessa
25.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Odessa
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
Odessa
14.0%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 39.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.9% | Odessa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 18.0% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 25.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 18.1% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 14.0% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Las Cruces +
Odessa
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Odessa
13.5 in
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | 65.6°F | Las Cruces + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 13.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Odessa
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Las Cruces +
Odessa
55.0%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Las Cruces + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Las Cruces +
Odessa
23.7 min
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 23.7 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Odessa leads in median household income at $73,030, while odessa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $253,423. On public safety, Odessa is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Odessa has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, 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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