Las Cruces NM vs Santa Ana 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%
Santa Ana, CA
California · Population: 91,535
- Median HH Income$109,739
- Median Home Price$865,610
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+68.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Las Cruces +
Santa Ana
91,535
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Santa Ana
4.9%
Santa Ana +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Santa Ana
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 91,535 | Las Cruces + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 42.9 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 54.1% | 66.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 2.6% | 4.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 16.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Santa Ana
6.1%
Santa Ana +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $77,230 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 6.1% | Santa Ana + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $865,610 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 28.8% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Santa Ana
503
Santa Ana +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Santa Ana
2388
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 503 | Santa Ana + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2388 | Santa Ana + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Santa Ana
13.0%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
Santa Ana
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Las Cruces +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Santa Ana
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 29.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.0% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 18.7% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 20.7% | Las Cruces + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.7% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Las Cruces +
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Santa Ana
13.6 in
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | 65.6°F | Las Cruces + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 13.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Santa Ana, 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 +
Santa Ana
28.0 min
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 28.0 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Santa Ana is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Santa Ana has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Ana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.0%.
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