Las Cruces NM vs Salt Lake City UT — 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%
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah · Population: 203,888
- Median HH Income$74,925
- Median Home Price$580,126
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+50.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Salt Lake City
203,888
Salt Lake City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Salt Lake City
33.0
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Salt Lake City +
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Salt Lake City +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Salt Lake City +
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 203,888 | Salt Lake City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 33.0 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 15.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| White | 54.1% | 70.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 2.6% | 2.7% | Salt Lake City + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 5.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 20.8% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Salt Lake City +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Salt Lake City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $74,925 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $49,642 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $60,713 | Salt Lake City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 3.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 13.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 50.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
Salt Lake City
46.8%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $580,126 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 46.8% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Salt Lake City
1931
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1931 | Salt Lake City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Salt Lake City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
Salt Lake City
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Salt Lake City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 29.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 18.2% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 12.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.0% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Salt Lake City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | 52.8°F | Salt Lake City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 16.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 7.0 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 +
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 21.3 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salt Lake City leads in median household income at $74,925, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Salt Lake City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salt Lake City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
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