Las Cruces NM vs Saint Paul MN — 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%
Saint Paul, MN
Minnesota · Population: 307,762
- Median HH Income$73,055
- Median Home Price$297,021
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+43.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Saint Paul
307,762
Saint Paul +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Saint Paul
33.5
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Saint Paul
18.7%
Saint Paul +
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
Saint Paul
53.2%
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Saint Paul
16.2%
Saint Paul +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Saint Paul
9.1%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 307,762 | Saint Paul + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 33.5 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 18.7% | Saint Paul + |
| White | 54.1% | 53.2% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 2.6% | 16.2% | Saint Paul + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 17.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 9.1% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Saint Paul
$73,055
Saint Paul +
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Saint Paul
$41,594
Saint Paul +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Saint Paul
$69,467
Saint Paul +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Saint Paul
4.9%
Saint Paul +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Saint Paul
15.8%
Saint Paul +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Saint Paul
43.5%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $73,055 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $41,594 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $69,467 | Saint Paul + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 4.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 15.8% | Saint Paul + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 43.5% | Saint Paul + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Saint Paul
$297,021
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
Saint Paul
53.2%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $297,021 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 53.2% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Saint Paul
284
Saint Paul +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Saint Paul
1992
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 284 | Saint Paul + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1992 | Saint Paul + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Saint Paul
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Saint Paul
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Saint Paul
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Saint Paul
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Saint Paul
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Saint Paul
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Saint Paul, MN | 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 +
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Saint Paul
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 8.1 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 +
Saint Paul
24.1 min
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 24.1 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Saint Paul leads in median household income at $73,055, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Saint Paul is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Saint Paul has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Las Cruces, NM vs New York, NYLas Cruces, NM vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Las Cruces, NMHouston, TX vs Las Cruces, NMLas Cruces, NM vs Phoenix, AZLas Cruces, NM vs Philadelphia, PA