Las Cruces NM vs Roanoke VA — 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Las Cruces +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Las Cruces +
Roanoke
7.5%
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Roanoke
3.1%
Roanoke +
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Roanoke
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 98,677 | Las Cruces + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 38.0 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 7.5% | Las Cruces + |
| White | 54.1% | 57.5% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 2.6% | 29.0% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 3.1% | Roanoke + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 8.6% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Las Cruces +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Roanoke
$34,792
Roanoke +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Roanoke
19.7%
Roanoke +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
Roanoke
28.9%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $52,671 | Las Cruces + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $34,792 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 5.5% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 19.7% | Roanoke + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 28.9% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
Roanoke
51.7%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $279,668 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 51.7% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1726 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Cruces +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Las Cruces +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
Roanoke
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Roanoke
11.0%
Roanoke +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 41.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 14.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 18.4% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 11.0% | Roanoke + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.7% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 16.7% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Roanoke
56.0°F
Roanoke +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Roanoke
44.5 in
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | 56.0°F | Roanoke + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 44.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 8.2 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 +
Roanoke
21.6 min
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 21.6 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Cruces leads in median household income at $55,176, while roanoke offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,668. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Roanoke has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Las Cruces scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.4%.
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