Las Cruces NM vs San Antonio TX — 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%
San Antonio, TX
Texas · Population: 1,458,954
- Median HH Income$62,917
- Median Home Price$251,035
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
San Antonio
1,458,954
San Antonio +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
San Antonio
34.6
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
San Antonio
14.3%
San Antonio +
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
San Antonio
48.3%
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
San Antonio
7.0%
San Antonio +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
San Antonio
3.1%
San Antonio +
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 1,458,954 | San Antonio + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 34.6 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 14.3% | San Antonio + |
| White | 54.1% | 48.3% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 2.6% | 7.0% | San Antonio + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 3.1% | San Antonio + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 64.4% | San Antonio + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
San Antonio
$62,917
San Antonio +
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
San Antonio
$32,983
San Antonio +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
San Antonio
$63,758
San Antonio +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
San Antonio
5.8%
San Antonio +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
San Antonio
17.1%
San Antonio +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
San Antonio
28.7%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $62,917 | San Antonio + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $32,983 | San Antonio + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $63,758 | San Antonio + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 5.8% | San Antonio + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 17.1% | San Antonio + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 28.7% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
San Antonio
$251,035
San Antonio +
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
San Antonio
52.4%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $251,035 | San Antonio + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 52.4% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
San Antonio
442
San Antonio +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
San Antonio
2339
San Antonio +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 442 | San Antonio + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2339 | San Antonio + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
San Antonio
34.9%
San Antonio +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Las Cruces +
San Antonio
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
San Antonio
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Las Cruces +
San Antonio
24.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
San Antonio
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
San Antonio
13.0%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 34.9% | San Antonio + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 15.2% | Las Cruces + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 17.2% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 24.5% | Las Cruces + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.0% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 13.0% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Las Cruces +
San Antonio
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
San Antonio
34.9 in
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | 68.5°F | Las Cruces + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 34.9 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Las Cruces +
San Antonio
55.0%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 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 +
San Antonio
26.5 min
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 26.5 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Antonio leads in median household income at $62,917, while san Antonio offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,035. On public safety, San Antonio is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. San Antonio has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Antonio scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.9%.
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