Las Cruces NM vs Provo UT — 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%
Provo, UT
Utah · Population: 114,303
- Median HH Income$62,800
- Median Home Price$486,127
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+45.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Provo
114,303
Provo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Provo
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Provo
23.7
Provo +
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Provo
12.2%
Provo +
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Provo
78.6%
Provo +
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Las Cruces +
Provo
1.1%
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Provo
2.2%
Provo +
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Provo
18.9%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Provo
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 114,303 | Provo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 23.7 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 12.2% | Provo + |
| White | 54.1% | 78.6% | Provo + |
| Black | 2.6% | 1.1% | Las Cruces + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 2.2% | Provo + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 18.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Provo
$62,800
Provo +
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Las Cruces +
Provo
$26,755
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Provo
$60,713
Provo +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Provo
4.7%
Provo +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Las Cruces +
Provo
22.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Provo
45.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $62,800 | Provo + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $26,755 | Las Cruces + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $60,713 | Provo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 4.7% | Provo + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 22.3% | Las Cruces + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 45.0% | Provo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Provo
$486,127
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
Provo
39.9%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $486,127 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 39.9% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Provo
245
Provo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Provo
1931
Provo +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 245 | Provo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1931 | Provo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Provo
30.7%
Provo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
Provo
21.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Provo
12.6%
Provo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 30.7% | Provo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 6.1% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 21.5% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 12.6% | Provo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 8.7% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 7.0% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Provo
53.4°F
Provo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Provo
19.8 in
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | 53.4°F | Provo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 19.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Provo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Provo
20.1 min
Provo +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 20.1 min | Provo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Provo leads in median household income at $62,800, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Provo is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Provo has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Provo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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