Las Cruces NM vs Schenectady NY — 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%
Schenectady, NY
New York · Population: 28,542
- Median HH Income$100,485
- Median Home Price$321,835
- Unemployment2.3%
- Bachelor's+58.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Las Cruces +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Las Cruces +
Schenectady
6.8%
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Schenectady
3.1%
Schenectady +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Schenectady
3.0%
Schenectady +
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 28,542 | Las Cruces + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 42.3 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 6.8% | Las Cruces + |
| White | 54.1% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 2.6% | 3.1% | Schenectady + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 3.0% | Schenectady + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 4.7% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Schenectady
$321,835
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $321,835 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 57.5% | Schenectady + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Schenectady
434
Schenectady +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 434 | Schenectady + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1736 | Schenectady + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Cruces +
Schenectady
38.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Schenectady
12.3%
Schenectady +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Schenectady
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 38.6% | Las Cruces + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 19.2% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 9.7% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.2% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 16.9% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Schenectady, NY | 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 +
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 8.1 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 +
Schenectady
26.2 min
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 26.2 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Schenectady leads in median household income at $100,485, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Schenectady is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate at 2.3%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Las Cruces scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.4%.
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