Las Cruces NM vs Sandy Springs GA — 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%
Sandy Springs, GA
Georgia · Population: 107,198
- Median HH Income$101,593
- Median Home Price$694,123
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+69.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Las Cruces +
Sandy Springs
107,198
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Sandy Springs
37.1
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Sandy Springs
16.8%
Sandy Springs +
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Sandy Springs +
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Sandy Springs +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Sandy Springs +
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 107,198 | Las Cruces + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 37.1 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 16.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| White | 54.1% | 59.3% | Sandy Springs + |
| Black | 2.6% | 20.0% | Sandy Springs + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 7.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 11.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Sandy Springs +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Sandy Springs +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Sandy Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $101,593 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $80,857 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $57,405 | Sandy Springs + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 3.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 7.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 69.9% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
Sandy Springs
50.7%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $694,123 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 50.7% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Sandy Springs
392
Sandy Springs +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Sandy Springs
1752
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 392 | Sandy Springs + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1752 | Sandy Springs + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Sandy Springs +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Sandy Springs +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Sandy Springs
13.8%
Sandy Springs +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Sandy Springs +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 23.7% | Sandy Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 7.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 13.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 8.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 17.8% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 7.3% | Sandy Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Sandy Springs
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Sandy Springs
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Las Cruces +
Sandy Springs
55.0%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 9.8 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 +
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 27.9 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy Springs leads in median household income at $101,593, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Sandy Springs is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Sandy Springs 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, Sandy Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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