Las Cruces NM vs St. Louis 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%
St. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
St. Louis
293,109
St. Louis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
St. Louis
36.6
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Las Cruces +
St. Louis
6.6%
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
St. Louis
45.7%
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
St. Louis
3.4%
St. Louis +
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
St. Louis
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 293,109 | St. Louis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 36.6 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 6.6% | Las Cruces + |
| White | 54.1% | 45.7% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 2.6% | 43.1% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 3.4% | St. Louis + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 5.1% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
St. Louis
$55,279
St. Louis +
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
St. Louis
$38,947
St. Louis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
St. Louis
$58,527
St. Louis +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
St. Louis
5.1%
St. Louis +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
St. Louis
19.8%
St. Louis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
St. Louis
40.2%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $55,279 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $38,947 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $58,527 | St. Louis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 5.1% | St. Louis + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 19.8% | St. Louis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 40.2% | St. Louis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
St. Louis
45.4%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $185,100 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 45.4% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
St. Louis
501
St. Louis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
St. Louis
2418
St. Louis +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 501 | St. Louis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2418 | St. Louis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Cruces +
St. Louis
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Las Cruces +
St. Louis
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
St. Louis
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
St. Louis
17.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
St. Louis
16.8%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 36.8% | Las Cruces + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.2% | Las Cruces + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 18.8% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 9.4% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 17.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 16.8% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | St. Louis, MO | 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 +
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Las Cruces +
St. Louis
55.0%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | St. Louis, 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
Las Cruces +
St. Louis
24.0 min
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 24.0 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. Louis leads in median household income at $55,279, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, St. Louis is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. St. Louis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, 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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