Las Cruces NM vs Phoenix AZ — 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Phoenix
34.8
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
Phoenix
53.7%
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Phoenix
7.8%
Phoenix +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Phoenix
3.9%
Phoenix +
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Phoenix
41.8%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 34.8 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 19.0% | Phoenix + |
| White | 54.1% | 53.7% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 2.6% | 7.8% | Phoenix + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 3.9% | Phoenix + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 41.8% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Phoenix
$59,120
Phoenix +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
Phoenix
32.3%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $77,041 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $40,309 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $59,120 | Phoenix + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 5.1% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 14.3% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 32.3% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Phoenix
$411,323
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $411,323 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 57.1% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Phoenix
450
Phoenix +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Phoenix
2150
Phoenix +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 450 | Phoenix + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2150 | Phoenix + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
Phoenix
16.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Phoenix
17.3%
Phoenix +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Phoenix
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
Phoenix
12.2%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 10.8% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 16.2% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 17.3% | Phoenix + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.3% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.2% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Las Cruces +
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Phoenix
10.8 in
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | 72.1°F | Las Cruces + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 10.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 7.1 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 +
Phoenix
27.7 min
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 27.7 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Phoenix is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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