Las Cruces NM vs Overland Park KS — 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%
Overland Park, KS
Kansas · Population: 143,720
- Median HH Income$112,232
- Median Home Price$487,466
- Unemployment2.8%
- Bachelor's+49.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Overland Park
143,720
Overland Park +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Overland Park
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Overland Park
36.6
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Overland Park
10.7%
Overland Park +
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Overland Park
78.6%
Overland Park +
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Overland Park
4.9%
Overland Park +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Overland Park
4.2%
Overland Park +
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Overland Park
12.6%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Overland Park
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 143,720 | Overland Park + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 36.6 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 10.7% | Overland Park + |
| White | 54.1% | 78.6% | Overland Park + |
| Black | 2.6% | 4.9% | Overland Park + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 4.2% | Overland Park + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 12.6% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Overland Park
$112,232
Overland Park +
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Overland Park
$48,655
Overland Park +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Overland Park
$61,860
Overland Park +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Overland Park
2.8%
Overland Park +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Overland Park
5.6%
Overland Park +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Overland Park
49.4%
Overland Park +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $112,232 | Overland Park + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $48,655 | Overland Park + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $61,860 | Overland Park + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 2.8% | Overland Park + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 5.6% | Overland Park + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 49.4% | Overland Park + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Overland Park
$487,466
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Overland Park
73.7%
Overland Park +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $487,466 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 73.7% | Overland Park + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Overland Park
449
Overland Park +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Overland Park
2174
Overland Park +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 449 | Overland Park + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2174 | Overland Park + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Overland Park
30.0%
Overland Park +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Overland Park
9.2%
Overland Park +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Overland Park
12.8%
Overland Park +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Overland Park
6.2%
Overland Park +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Overland Park
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Overland Park
9.0%
Overland Park +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 30.0% | Overland Park + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 9.2% | Overland Park + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 12.8% | Overland Park + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 6.2% | Overland Park + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 9.0% | Overland Park + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Overland Park
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Overland Park
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Overland Park
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Overland Park
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 8.2 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 +
Overland Park
22.4 min
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 22.4 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Overland Park leads in median household income at $112,232, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Overland Park is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Overland Park has a lower unemployment rate at 2.8%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Overland Park scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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