Las Cruces NM vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Salem
35.7
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Las Cruces +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Salem
23.4%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 176,666 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 35.7 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 12.2% | Salem + |
| White | 54.1% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 2.6% | 1.6% | Las Cruces + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 3.5% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 23.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $36,477 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $63,691 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 31.4% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $438,754 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Salem
3001
Salem +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 3001 | Salem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Cruces +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
Salem
12.4%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 41.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 18.8% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 11.6% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.2% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.4% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | 53.0°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Las Cruces +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Las Cruces + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Las Cruces +
Salem
24.5 min
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 24.5 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, 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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