Las Cruces NM vs Renton WA — 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%
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Las Cruces +
Renton
75,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Renton
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Renton
35.0
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
Renton
48.7%
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Las Cruces +
Renton
2.2%
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Renton
6.8%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Renton
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 75,721 | Las Cruces + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 35.0 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 44.4% | Renton + |
| White | 54.1% | 48.7% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 2.6% | 2.2% | Las Cruces + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 39.2% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 6.8% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Renton
$76,120
Renton +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Renton
4.1%
Renton +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $162,099 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $89,026 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $76,120 | Renton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 4.1% | Renton + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 5.8% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 74.7% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Renton
$765,686
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
Renton
45.2%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $765,686 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 45.2% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Renton
383
Renton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Las Cruces +
Renton
3409
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 383 | Renton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 3409 | Las Cruces + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Renton
8.5%
Renton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
Renton
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Renton
9.1%
Renton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Renton
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Renton
8.9%
Renton +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 24.0% | Renton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 8.5% | Renton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 16.0% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 9.1% | Renton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.1% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 8.9% | Renton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Renton
53.2°F
Renton +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Renton
40.1 in
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | 53.2°F | Renton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 40.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Renton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 7.5 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 +
Renton
25.4 min
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 25.4 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Renton is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Renton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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