Las Cruces NM vs Raleigh NC — 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%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Raleigh
34.7
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Raleigh
13.6%
Raleigh +
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
Raleigh
53.8%
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Raleigh
4.7%
Raleigh +
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Raleigh
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 470,763 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 34.7 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 13.6% | Raleigh + |
| White | 54.1% | 53.8% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 2.6% | 27.5% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 4.7% | Raleigh + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 12.7% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Raleigh
$59,120
Raleigh +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $82,424 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $49,948 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $59,120 | Raleigh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 4.5% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 11.4% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 52.9% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Raleigh
$435,807
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
Raleigh
51.2%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $435,807 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 51.2% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Raleigh
398
Raleigh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Raleigh
1999
Raleigh +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 398 | Raleigh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1999 | Raleigh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
Raleigh
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Raleigh
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 30.9% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 9.1% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 16.6% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 9.7% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.3% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 10.5% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Las Cruces +
Raleigh
61.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Raleigh
46.2 in
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | 61.1°F | Las Cruces + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 8.7 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 +
Raleigh
25.1 min
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 25.1 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Raleigh is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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