Las Cruces NM vs Portland OR — 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%
Portland, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Portland
12.4%
Portland +
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Portland
5.8%
Portland +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Portland
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 38.6 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 12.4% | Portland + |
| White | 54.1% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 2.6% | 5.8% | Portland + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 11.3% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Portland
$63,691
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Portland
5.5%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $63,691 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 5.5% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 12.8% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
Portland
52.8%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $538,687 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 52.8% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Portland
355
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Portland
3001
Portland +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 355 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 3001 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
Portland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Portland
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 28.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 18.3% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 17.7% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 11.7% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | 51.6°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 78.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Las Cruces +
Portland
55.0%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 9.0 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 +
Portland
26.5 min
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 26.5 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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