Las Cruces NM vs Sterling Heights MI — 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%
Sterling Heights, MI
Michigan · Population: 133,473
- Median HH Income$78,429
- Median Home Price$309,742
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+31.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Sterling Heights +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 133,473 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 41.5 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 54.1% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 2.6% | 6.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 2.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Sterling Heights +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Sterling Heights +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $37,315 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $58,052 | Sterling Heights + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 6.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 31.2% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $309,742 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Sterling Heights
471
Sterling Heights +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 471 | Sterling Heights + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Cruces +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
Sterling Heights
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 36.0% | Las Cruces + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 17.2% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 15.3% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Sterling Heights, MI | 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 +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Las Cruces +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 10.7 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 +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 27.5 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Sterling Heights is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Sterling Heights has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, 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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