Las Cruces NM vs San Marcos 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 Marcos, TX
Texas · Population: 99,507
- Median HH Income$64,146
- Median Home Price$313,452
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Las Cruces +
San Marcos
99,507
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
San Marcos
35.2
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Las Cruces +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
San Marcos
4.3%
San Marcos +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Las Cruces +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
San Marcos
42.2%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 99,507 | Las Cruces + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 35.2 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 5.8% | Las Cruces + |
| White | 54.1% | 66.6% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 2.6% | 4.3% | San Marcos + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 1.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 42.2% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
San Marcos
$64,146
San Marcos +
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
San Marcos
$33,835
San Marcos +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
San Marcos
$63,758
San Marcos +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $64,146 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $33,835 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $63,758 | San Marcos + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 11.9% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 24.9% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
San Marcos
$313,452
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $313,452 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
San Marcos
442
San Marcos +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
San Marcos
2339
San Marcos +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 442 | San Marcos + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2339 | San Marcos + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Las Cruces +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 33.6% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 22.3% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 19.7% | Las Cruces + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 19.7% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 11.0% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Las Cruces +
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
San Marcos
35.7 in
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | 68.5°F | Las Cruces + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 35.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Las Cruces +
San Marcos
55.0%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | San Marcos, 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
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Marcos leads in median household income at $64,146, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, San Marcos is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Marcos scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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