Las Cruces NM vs Springfield MO — 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%
Springfield, MO
Missouri · Population: 169,432
- Median HH Income$45,984
- Median Home Price$245,279
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Springfield
169,432
Springfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Springfield
33.6
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Las Cruces +
Springfield
3.8%
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Springfield
85.2%
Springfield +
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Las Cruces +
Springfield
1.7%
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Springfield
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 169,432 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 33.6 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 3.8% | Las Cruces + |
| White | 54.1% | 85.2% | Springfield + |
| Black | 2.6% | 4.3% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 1.7% | Las Cruces + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 5.6% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Las Cruces +
Springfield
$45,984
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Springfield
$30,864
Springfield +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Springfield
$58,527
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Springfield
19.4%
Springfield +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
Springfield
30.3%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $45,984 | Las Cruces + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $30,864 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $58,527 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 4.3% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 19.4% | Springfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 30.3% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Springfield
$245,279
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
Springfield
42.9%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $245,279 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 42.9% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Springfield
501
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Springfield
2418
Springfield +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 501 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2418 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Cruces +
Springfield
37.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Springfield
11.1%
Springfield +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
Springfield
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Springfield
10.0%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Springfield
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
Springfield
17.1%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 37.7% | Las Cruces + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.1% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 20.0% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 10.0% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.6% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 17.1% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Springfield
56.3°F
Springfield +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Springfield
45.6 in
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | 56.3°F | Springfield + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 45.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Springfield
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Las Cruces +
Springfield
55.0%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 9.3 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
Springfield
19.5 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 19.5 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Cruces leads in median household income at $55,176, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,279. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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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