Las Cruces NM vs Omaha NE — 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%
Omaha, NE
Nebraska · Population: 488,197
- Median HH Income$72,708
- Median Home Price$297,017
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+40.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Omaha
488,197
Omaha +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Omaha
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Omaha
35.3
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Omaha
10.9%
Omaha +
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Omaha
68.8%
Omaha +
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Omaha
11.8%
Omaha +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Omaha
4.0%
Omaha +
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Omaha
15.6%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Omaha
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 488,197 | Omaha + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 35.3 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 10.9% | Omaha + |
| White | 54.1% | 68.8% | Omaha + |
| Black | 2.6% | 11.8% | Omaha + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 4.0% | Omaha + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 15.6% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Omaha
$72,708
Omaha +
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Omaha
$42,515
Omaha +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Omaha
$66,354
Omaha +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Omaha
4.2%
Omaha +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Omaha
12.8%
Omaha +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Omaha
40.3%
Omaha +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $72,708 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $42,515 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $66,354 | Omaha + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 4.2% | Omaha + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 12.8% | Omaha + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 40.3% | Omaha + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Omaha
$297,017
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Omaha
57.7%
Omaha +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $297,017 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 57.7% | Omaha + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Omaha
294
Omaha +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Omaha
1960
Omaha +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 294 | Omaha + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1960 | Omaha + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Cruces +
Omaha
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Omaha
10.2%
Omaha +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Omaha
12.0%
Omaha +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Omaha
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
Omaha
14.2%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 37.5% | Las Cruces + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 10.2% | Omaha + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 15.2% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 12.0% | Omaha + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 20.0% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 14.2% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Omaha
51.1°F
Omaha +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Omaha
30.6 in
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | 51.1°F | Omaha + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 30.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Omaha
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 7.6 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 +
Omaha
21.1 min
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 21.1 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Omaha leads in median household income at $72,708, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Omaha is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Omaha has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, 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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