Las Cruces NM vs Shreveport LA — 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%
Shreveport, LA
Louisiana · Population: 183,483
- Median HH Income$48,465
- Median Home Price$146,463
- Unemployment8.9%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Shreveport
183,483
Shreveport +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Shreveport
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Shreveport
37.5
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Las Cruces +
Shreveport
2.6%
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
Shreveport
36.5%
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Shreveport
56.1%
Shreveport +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Las Cruces +
Shreveport
1.5%
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Shreveport
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Shreveport
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 183,483 | Shreveport + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 37.5 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 2.6% | Las Cruces + |
| White | 54.1% | 36.5% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 2.6% | 56.1% | Shreveport + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 1.5% | Las Cruces + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 3.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Las Cruces +
Shreveport
$48,465
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Shreveport
$33,788
Shreveport +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Shreveport
$55,297
Shreveport +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Las Cruces +
Shreveport
8.9%
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Las Cruces +
Shreveport
23.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
Shreveport
27.5%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $48,465 | Las Cruces + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $33,788 | Shreveport + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $55,297 | Shreveport + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 8.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 23.6% | Las Cruces + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 27.5% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Shreveport
$146,463
Shreveport +
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
Shreveport
53.8%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $146,463 | Shreveport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 53.8% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Shreveport
643
Shreveport +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Shreveport
2824
Shreveport +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 643 | Shreveport + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2824 | Shreveport + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Cruces +
Shreveport
43.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Las Cruces +
Shreveport
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
Shreveport
20.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Shreveport
9.6%
Shreveport +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Shreveport
14.5%
Shreveport +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
Shreveport
19.1%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 43.1% | Las Cruces + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 17.6% | Las Cruces + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 20.1% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 9.6% | Shreveport + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.5% | Shreveport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 19.1% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Shreveport
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Shreveport
52.7 in
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Shreveport
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Shreveport
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Shreveport
20.5 min
Tie
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 20.5 min | Tie |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Cruces leads in median household income at $55,176, while shreveport offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $146,463. On public safety, Shreveport is safer with a violent crime rate of 643 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Las Cruces has a lower unemployment rate at 7.4%, 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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