Las Cruces NM vs Pomona CA — 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%
Pomona, CA
California · Population: 148,391
- Median HH Income$78,869
- Median Home Price$689,570
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+19.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Pomona
148,391
Pomona +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Pomona
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Pomona
35.4
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Pomona
32.7%
Pomona +
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
Pomona
22.7%
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Pomona
5.3%
Pomona +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Pomona
11.1%
Pomona +
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Pomona
71.5%
Pomona +
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Pomona
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 148,391 | Pomona + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 35.4 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 32.7% | Pomona + |
| White | 54.1% | 22.7% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 2.6% | 5.3% | Pomona + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 11.1% | Pomona + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 71.5% | Pomona + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Pomona
$78,869
Pomona +
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Las Cruces +
Pomona
$28,131
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Pomona
$77,230
Pomona +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Pomona
6.3%
Pomona +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Pomona
14.2%
Pomona +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
Pomona
19.5%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $78,869 | Pomona + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $28,131 | Las Cruces + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $77,230 | Pomona + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 6.3% | Pomona + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 14.2% | Pomona + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 19.5% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Pomona
$689,570
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
Pomona
54.6%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $689,570 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 54.6% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Pomona
503
Pomona +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Pomona
2388
Pomona +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 503 | Pomona + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2388 | Pomona + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Pomona
28.6%
Pomona +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Pomona
13.0%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
Pomona
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Pomona
17.4%
Pomona +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Pomona
15.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Pomona
12.0%
Pomona +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 28.6% | Pomona + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.0% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 17.7% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 17.4% | Pomona + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.5% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.0% | Pomona + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Las Cruces +
Pomona
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Pomona
17.2 in
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | 65.0°F | Las Cruces + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 17.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Pomona
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Pomona
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 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 +
Pomona
34.5 min
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 34.5 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pomona leads in median household income at $78,869, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Pomona is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Pomona has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pomona scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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