Las Cruces NM vs Orem UT — 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%
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Las Cruces +
Orem
86,973
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Orem
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Orem
33.3
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Orem
10.5%
Orem +
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Orem
77.1%
Orem +
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Las Cruces +
Orem
1.9%
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Las Cruces +
Orem
1.6%
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Orem
30.6%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Orem
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 86,973 | Las Cruces + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 33.3 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 10.5% | Orem + |
| White | 54.1% | 77.1% | Orem + |
| Black | 2.6% | 1.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 1.6% | Las Cruces + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 30.6% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Orem
$70,053
Orem +
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Orem
$33,579
Orem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Orem
$60,713
Orem +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Orem
4.0%
Orem +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Orem
12.7%
Orem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
Orem
25.6%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $70,053 | Orem + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $33,579 | Orem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $60,713 | Orem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 4.0% | Orem + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 12.7% | Orem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 25.6% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Orem
$509,396
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Orem
60.9%
Orem +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $509,396 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 60.9% | Orem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Orem
245
Orem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Orem
1931
Orem +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 245 | Orem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1931 | Orem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Orem
30.3%
Orem +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Orem
7.7%
Orem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
Orem
17.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Orem
11.5%
Orem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 30.3% | Orem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 7.7% | Orem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 17.1% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 11.5% | Orem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 8.6% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 6.5% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Orem
52.5°F
Orem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Orem
13.3 in
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | 52.5°F | Orem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 13.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Orem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 7.0 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 +
Orem
24.5 min
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 24.5 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Orem leads in median household income at $70,053, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Orem is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Orem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Orem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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