Las Cruces NM vs Oklahoma City 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%
Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 688,693
- Median HH Income$66,702
- Median Home Price$207,961
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+34.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Oklahoma City
688,693
Oklahoma City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Oklahoma City
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Oklahoma City
35.0
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Oklahoma City
12.0%
Oklahoma City +
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Oklahoma City
58.4%
Oklahoma City +
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Oklahoma City
13.4%
Oklahoma City +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Oklahoma City
4.5%
Oklahoma City +
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Oklahoma City
21.7%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Oklahoma City
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 688,693 | Oklahoma City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 35.0 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 12.0% | Oklahoma City + |
| White | 54.1% | 58.4% | Oklahoma City + |
| Black | 2.6% | 13.4% | Oklahoma City + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 4.5% | Oklahoma City + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 21.7% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Oklahoma City
$66,702
Oklahoma City +
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Oklahoma City
$37,109
Oklahoma City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Oklahoma City
$57,929
Oklahoma City +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Oklahoma City
4.7%
Oklahoma City +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Oklahoma City
15.2%
Oklahoma City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
Oklahoma City
34.0%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $66,702 | Oklahoma City + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $37,109 | Oklahoma City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $57,929 | Oklahoma City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 4.7% | Oklahoma City + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 15.2% | Oklahoma City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 34.0% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Oklahoma City
$207,961
Oklahoma City +
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Oklahoma City
59.1%
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $207,961 | Oklahoma City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 59.1% | Oklahoma City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Oklahoma City
429
Oklahoma City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Oklahoma City
2375
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 429 | Oklahoma City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2375 | Oklahoma City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Cruces +
Oklahoma City
38.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Oklahoma City
12.6%
Oklahoma City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
Oklahoma City
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Oklahoma City
14.0%
Oklahoma City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Oklahoma City
14.6%
Oklahoma City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
Oklahoma City
14.9%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 38.3% | Las Cruces + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.6% | Oklahoma City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 17.8% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 14.0% | Oklahoma City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.6% | Oklahoma City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 14.9% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Oklahoma City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Oklahoma City
37.6 in
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 37.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Oklahoma City
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Oklahoma City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Oklahoma City, 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 +
Oklahoma City
23.6 min
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 23.6 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oklahoma City leads in median household income at $66,702, while oklahoma City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $207,961. On public safety, Oklahoma City is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Oklahoma City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, 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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