Las Cruces NM vs Sunnyvale CA — 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%
Sunnyvale, CA
California · Population: 153,455
- Median HH Income$181,862
- Median Home Price$2,144,024
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+69.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Sunnyvale
153,455
Sunnyvale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Sunnyvale
35.1
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
Sunnyvale
30.4%
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Las Cruces +
Sunnyvale
1.5%
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Sunnyvale
16.7%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 153,455 | Sunnyvale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 35.1 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| White | 54.1% | 30.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 2.6% | 1.5% | Las Cruces + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 16.7% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Sunnyvale
$181,862
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Sunnyvale
$95,752
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Sunnyvale
$77,230
Sunnyvale +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Sunnyvale
4.1%
Sunnyvale +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Sunnyvale
5.6%
Sunnyvale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Sunnyvale
69.2%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $181,862 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $95,752 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $77,230 | Sunnyvale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 4.1% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 5.6% | Sunnyvale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 69.2% | Sunnyvale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Sunnyvale
$2,144,024
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
Sunnyvale
43.8%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $2,144,024 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 43.8% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Sunnyvale
503
Sunnyvale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Sunnyvale
2388
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 503 | Sunnyvale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2388 | Sunnyvale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Sunnyvale
19.7%
Sunnyvale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Sunnyvale
8.3%
Sunnyvale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Sunnyvale
12.9%
Sunnyvale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Sunnyvale
5.2%
Sunnyvale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Sunnyvale
13.5%
Sunnyvale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Sunnyvale
6.7%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 19.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 8.3% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 12.9% | Sunnyvale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 5.2% | Sunnyvale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 13.5% | Sunnyvale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 6.7% | Sunnyvale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Sunnyvale
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Sunnyvale, CA | 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 +
Sunnyvale
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Sunnyvale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 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 +
Sunnyvale
25.3 min
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 25.3 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sunnyvale leads in median household income at $181,862, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Sunnyvale is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Sunnyvale has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sunnyvale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.7%.
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