Las Cruces NM vs Reno NV — 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%
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Reno
268,959
Reno +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Reno
37.3
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Reno
16.1%
Reno +
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Reno
63.5%
Reno +
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Reno
3.2%
Reno +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Reno
7.0%
Reno +
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Reno
24.6%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 268,959 | Reno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 37.3 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 16.1% | Reno + |
| White | 54.1% | 63.5% | Reno + |
| Black | 2.6% | 3.2% | Reno + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 7.0% | Reno + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 24.6% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Reno
$78,448
Reno +
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Reno
$45,180
Reno +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Reno
$62,696
Reno +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Reno
5.0%
Reno +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Reno
12.5%
Reno +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
Reno
35.7%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $78,448 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $45,180 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $62,696 | Reno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 5.0% | Reno + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 12.5% | Reno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 35.7% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Reno
$570,934
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
Reno
49.4%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $570,934 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 49.4% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Reno
460
Reno +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Reno
2417
Reno +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 460 | Reno + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2417 | Reno + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Reno
28.4%
Reno +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Reno
9.5%
Reno +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
Reno
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Reno
13.0%
Reno +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Reno
18.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
Reno
12.8%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 28.4% | Reno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 9.5% | Reno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 18.5% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 13.0% | Reno + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 18.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.8% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Reno
53.0°F
Reno +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Reno
8.3 in
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | 53.0°F | Reno + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 8.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Reno
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Las Cruces +
Reno
22.3 min
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 22.3 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Reno leads in median household income at $78,448, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Reno is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Reno has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Reno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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