Las Cruces NM vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Philadelphia
35.1
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Philadelphia
15.2%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 35.1 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 14.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 54.1% | 36.1% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 2.6% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 15.2% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Philadelphia
$60,698
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Las Cruces +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Las Cruces +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
Philadelphia
34.6%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $60,698 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $37,669 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 8.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 22.0% | Las Cruces + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 34.6% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 52.3% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Philadelphia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | 57.1°F | Philadelphia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Las Cruces +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 9.8 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 +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 34.5 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Philadelphia leads in median household income at $60,698, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Las Cruces has a lower unemployment rate at 7.4%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³).
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