Las Cruces NM vs Sugar Land TX — 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%
Sugar Land, TX
Texas · Population: 109,735
- Median HH Income$137,511
- Median Home Price$449,058
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+62.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Las Cruces +
Sugar Land
109,735
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
Sugar Land
40.6%
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Sugar Land
7.7%
Sugar Land +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Sugar Land
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 109,735 | Las Cruces + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 42.5 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 54.1% | 40.6% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 2.6% | 7.7% | Sugar Land + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 12.3% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Sugar Land
$63,758
Sugar Land +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Sugar Land
4.5%
Sugar Land +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $60,258 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $63,758 | Sugar Land + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 4.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 62.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Sugar Land
$449,058
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $449,058 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Sugar Land
442
Sugar Land +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Sugar Land
2339
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 442 | Sugar Land + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2339 | Sugar Land + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Sugar Land
8.5%
Sugar Land +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 8.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 8.2% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Las Cruces +
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Sugar Land
50.4 in
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | 71.3°F | Las Cruces + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Las Cruces +
Sugar Land
55.0%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 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 +
Sugar Land
31.6 min
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 31.6 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sugar Land leads in median household income at $137,511, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Sugar Land is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Sugar Land has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sugar Land scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.8%.
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