Las Cruces NM vs Rancho Cucamonga 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%
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
California · Population: 174,693
- Median HH Income$109,511
- Median Home Price$791,317
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+37.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Rancho Cucamonga
174,693
Rancho Cucamonga +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Rancho Cucamonga
37.9
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Rancho Cucamonga
21.1%
Rancho Cucamonga +
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
Rancho Cucamonga
44.0%
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Rancho Cucamonga
8.3%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Rancho Cucamonga
15.4%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Rancho Cucamonga
38.5%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 174,693 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 37.9 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 21.1% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| White | 54.1% | 44.0% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 2.6% | 8.3% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 15.4% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 38.5% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Rancho Cucamonga
$109,511
Rancho Cucamonga +
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Rancho Cucamonga
$45,626
Rancho Cucamonga +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Rancho Cucamonga
$77,230
Rancho Cucamonga +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Rancho Cucamonga
5.8%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Rancho Cucamonga
8.0%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
Rancho Cucamonga
37.3%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $109,511 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $45,626 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $77,230 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 5.8% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 8.0% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 37.3% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Rancho Cucamonga
$791,317
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Rancho Cucamonga
63.3%
Rancho Cucamonga +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $791,317 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 63.3% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Rancho Cucamonga
503
Rancho Cucamonga +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Rancho Cucamonga
2388
Rancho Cucamonga +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 503 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2388 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Rancho Cucamonga
30.0%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Rancho Cucamonga
10.5%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
Rancho Cucamonga
16.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Rancho Cucamonga
8.8%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Rancho Cucamonga
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Rancho Cucamonga
10.1%
Rancho Cucamonga +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 30.0% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 10.5% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 16.1% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 8.8% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.8% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 10.1% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Rancho Cucamonga
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Rancho Cucamonga
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Rancho Cucamonga, 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 +
Rancho Cucamonga
34.6 min
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 34.6 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rancho Cucamonga leads in median household income at $109,511, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Rancho Cucamonga is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Rancho Cucamonga has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rancho Cucamonga scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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