Las Cruces NM vs South Bend IN — 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%
South Bend, IN
Indiana · Population: 102,866
- Median HH Income$52,512
- Median Home Price$194,972
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Las Cruces +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
South Bend
33.9
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Las Cruces +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
South Bend
54.1%
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Las Cruces +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
South Bend
17.3%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 102,866 | Las Cruces + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 33.9 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 8.9% | Las Cruces + |
| White | 54.1% | 54.1% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 2.6% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 1.7% | Las Cruces + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 17.3% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Las Cruces +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Las Cruces +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
South Bend
$58,697
South Bend +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
South Bend
6.0%
South Bend +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Las Cruces +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $52,512 | Las Cruces + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $29,511 | Las Cruces + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $58,697 | South Bend + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 6.0% | South Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 22.6% | Las Cruces + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 29.4% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 370 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Cruces +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Las Cruces +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
South Bend
12.6%
South Bend +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
South Bend
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 39.7% | Las Cruces + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 15.2% | Las Cruces + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 20.3% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 12.6% | South Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.3% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 18.2% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
South Bend
38.0 in
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 38.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Las Cruces +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 10.1 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 +
South Bend
21.6 min
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 21.6 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Cruces leads in median household income at $55,176, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, South Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. South Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, 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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