Las Cruces NM vs Salinas CA — 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Las Cruces +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 161,993 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 54.1% | 21.8% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 2.6% | 1.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Las Cruces +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Salinas
14.2%
Salinas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $28,813 | Las Cruces + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 4.7% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 14.2% | Salinas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 15.5% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $751,711 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 47.0% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Salinas
503
Salinas +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Salinas
2388
Salinas +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 503 | Salinas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2388 | Salinas + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Salinas
12.4%
Salinas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
Salinas
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Las Cruces +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
Salinas
12.9%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 32.8% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.4% | Salinas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 18.2% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 22.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.8% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.9% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Salinas
57.3°F
Salinas +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Salinas
15.5 in
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | 57.3°F | Salinas + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 15.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 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 +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 28.8 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Salinas is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salinas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.
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