Las Cruces NM vs Stamford CT — 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%
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Stamford
135,806
Stamford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Stamford
38.2
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
Stamford
49.1%
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Stamford
19.9%
Stamford +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Stamford
7.1%
Stamford +
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Stamford
28.1%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 135,806 | Stamford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 38.2 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 31.8% | Stamford + |
| White | 54.1% | 49.1% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 2.6% | 19.9% | Stamford + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 7.1% | Stamford + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 28.1% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Stamford
4.9%
Stamford +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Stamford
51.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $107,474 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $64,382 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 4.9% | Stamford + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 9.5% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 51.7% | Stamford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Stamford
$708,498
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
Stamford
47.5%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $708,498 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 47.5% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1524 | Stamford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Stamford
25.5%
Stamford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Stamford
12.3%
Stamford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Stamford
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 25.5% | Stamford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 8.6% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 14.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 12.3% | Stamford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 8.7% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Stamford
52.3°F
Stamford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | 52.3°F | Stamford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 7.7 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 +
Stamford
30.1 min
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 30.1 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford leads in median household income at $107,474, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Stamford has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stamford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.5%.
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