Las Cruces NM vs Pasadena 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%
Pasadena, TX
Texas · Population: 125,983
- Median HH Income$112,470
- Median Home Price$218,978
- Unemployment3.1%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Pasadena
125,983
Pasadena +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Pasadena
36.5
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Pasadena
19.3%
Pasadena +
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
Pasadena
45.5%
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Pasadena
18.1%
Pasadena +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Pasadena
25.4%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 125,983 | Pasadena + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 36.5 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 19.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 54.1% | 45.5% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 2.6% | 18.1% | Pasadena + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 17.0% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 25.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Pasadena
$49,845
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Pasadena
$63,758
Pasadena +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Pasadena
47.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $112,470 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $49,845 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $63,758 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 3.1% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 4.2% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 47.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Pasadena
$218,978
Pasadena +
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $218,978 | Pasadena + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 76.6% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Pasadena
442
Pasadena +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Pasadena
2339
Pasadena +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 442 | Pasadena + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2339 | Pasadena + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Cruces +
Pasadena
39.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Las Cruces +
Pasadena
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
Pasadena
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Las Cruces +
Pasadena
32.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Pasadena
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
Pasadena
14.6%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 39.1% | Las Cruces + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 14.6% | Las Cruces + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 17.8% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 32.1% | Las Cruces + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 17.1% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 14.6% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Pasadena
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Pasadena, TX | 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 +
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Las Cruces +
Pasadena
55.0%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Pasadena, 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 +
Pasadena
36.1 min
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 36.1 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $112,470, while pasadena offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $218,978. On public safety, Pasadena is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
Las Cruces, NM vs New York, NYLas Cruces, NM vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Las Cruces, NMHouston, TX vs Las Cruces, NMLas Cruces, NM vs Phoenix, AZLas Cruces, NM vs Philadelphia, PA