Las Cruces NM vs Plano 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%
Plano, TX
Texas · Population: 287,339
- Median HH Income$108,649
- Median Home Price$507,575
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Plano
287,339
Plano +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Plano
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Plano
39.3
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
Plano
53.2%
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Plano
9.0%
Plano +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Plano
16.2%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 287,339 | Plano + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 39.3 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 28.7% | Plano + |
| White | 54.1% | 53.2% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 2.6% | 9.0% | Plano + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 22.6% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 16.2% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Plano
$63,758
Plano +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Plano
4.1%
Plano +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $108,649 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $57,753 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $63,758 | Plano + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 4.1% | Plano + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 7.1% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 59.2% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Plano
$507,575
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Plano
56.6%
Plano +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $507,575 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 56.6% | Plano + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Plano
442
Plano +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Plano
2339
Plano +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 442 | Plano + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2339 | Plano + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Plano
31.2%
Plano +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Plano
9.9%
Plano +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Plano
10.3%
Plano +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Plano
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 31.2% | Plano + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 9.9% | Plano + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 14.0% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 10.3% | Plano + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 8.8% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Plano
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Plano, 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 +
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Las Cruces +
Plano
55.0%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Plano, 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 +
Plano
27.6 min
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 27.6 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano leads in median household income at $108,649, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Plano is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Plano has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plano scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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