Las Cruces NM vs San Diego 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%
San Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
San Diego
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
San Diego
36.0
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
San Diego
24.8%
San Diego +
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
San Diego
50.4%
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
San Diego
5.7%
San Diego +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
San Diego
29.6%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
San Diego
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 1,385,061 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 36.0 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 24.8% | San Diego + |
| White | 54.1% | 50.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 2.6% | 5.7% | San Diego + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 17.6% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 29.6% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
San Diego
$104,321
San Diego +
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
San Diego
$54,678
San Diego +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
San Diego
$77,230
San Diego +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
San Diego
5.9%
San Diego +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
San Diego
11.1%
San Diego +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
San Diego
49.9%
San Diego +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $104,321 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $54,678 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $77,230 | San Diego + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 5.9% | San Diego + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 11.1% | San Diego + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 49.9% | San Diego + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
San Diego
$1,006,261
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
San Diego
47.6%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $1,006,261 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 47.6% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
San Diego
503
San Diego +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
San Diego
2388
San Diego +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 503 | San Diego + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2388 | San Diego + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
San Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
San Diego
9.2%
San Diego +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
San Diego
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
San Diego
8.5%
San Diego +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
San Diego
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 24.2% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 9.2% | San Diego + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 16.5% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 8.5% | San Diego + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 9.3% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Las Cruces +
San Diego
61.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
San Diego
12.3 in
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | 61.6°F | Las Cruces + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 12.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
San Diego
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | San Diego, 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 +
San Diego
25.9 min
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 25.9 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Diego leads in median household income at $104,321, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, San Diego is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. San Diego has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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