Las Cruces NM vs Pittsburgh 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%
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Pittsburgh
33.5
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Las Cruces +
Pittsburgh
9.3%
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Pittsburgh +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 303,620 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 33.5 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 9.3% | Las Cruces + |
| White | 54.1% | 63.7% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 2.6% | 22.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 5.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 4.2% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Pittsburgh +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Pittsburgh +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Pittsburgh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $64,137 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $43,590 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $65,080 | Pittsburgh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 5.9% | Pittsburgh + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 19.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 47.8% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
Pittsburgh
47.2%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $240,538 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 47.2% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 319 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1613 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Pittsburgh, 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
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Pittsburgh +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | 51.8°F | Pittsburgh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Las Cruces +
Pittsburgh
55.0%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Pittsburgh, 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 +
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 25.0 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pittsburgh leads in median household income at $64,137, while pittsburgh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $240,538. On public safety, Pittsburgh is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Pittsburgh has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³).
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