Las Cruces NM vs Pueblo CO — 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%
Pueblo, CO
Colorado · Population: 111,514
- Median HH Income$55,305
- Median Home Price$286,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+22.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Las Cruces +
Pueblo
111,514
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Pueblo
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Pueblo
38.1
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Las Cruces +
Pueblo
4.0%
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Pueblo
70.3%
Pueblo +
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Pueblo
2.7%
Pueblo +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Las Cruces +
Pueblo
0.8%
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Pueblo
48.4%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Pueblo
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 111,514 | Las Cruces + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 38.1 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 4.0% | Las Cruces + |
| White | 54.1% | 70.3% | Pueblo + |
| Black | 2.6% | 2.7% | Pueblo + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 0.8% | Las Cruces + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 48.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Pueblo
$55,305
Pueblo +
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Pueblo
$30,949
Pueblo +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Pueblo
$76,653
Pueblo +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Pueblo
5.9%
Pueblo +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Pueblo
19.2%
Pueblo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
Pueblo
22.8%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $55,305 | Pueblo + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $30,949 | Pueblo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $76,653 | Pueblo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 5.9% | Pueblo + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 19.2% | Pueblo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 22.8% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Pueblo
$286,326
Pueblo +
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Pueblo
60.8%
Pueblo +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $286,326 | Pueblo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 60.8% | Pueblo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Pueblo
512
Pueblo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Las Cruces +
Pueblo
3234
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 512 | Pueblo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 3234 | Las Cruces + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Pueblo
33.5%
Pueblo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Las Cruces +
Pueblo
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
Pueblo
18.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Las Cruces +
Pueblo
18.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Pueblo
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
Pueblo
15.1%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 33.5% | Pueblo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.5% | Las Cruces + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 18.0% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 18.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.6% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 15.1% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Pueblo
53.7°F
Pueblo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Pueblo
13.0 in
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | 53.7°F | Pueblo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 13.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Pueblo
6.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Pueblo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 6.2 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 +
Pueblo
21.1 min
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 21.1 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pueblo leads in median household income at $55,305, while pueblo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $286,326. On public safety, Pueblo is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Pueblo has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pueblo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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