Las Cruces NM vs Syracuse NY — 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%
Syracuse, NY
New York · Population: 146,211
- Median HH Income$45,845
- Median Home Price$215,134
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+30.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Syracuse
146,211
Syracuse +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Syracuse
12.1%
Syracuse +
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
Syracuse
51.9%
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Syracuse
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 146,211 | Syracuse + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 12.1% | Syracuse + |
| White | 54.1% | 51.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 2.6% | 27.6% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 10.3% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Las Cruces +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Las Cruces +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Las Cruces +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Las Cruces +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
Syracuse
30.5%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $45,845 | Las Cruces + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $27,570 | Las Cruces + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 7.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 29.6% | Las Cruces + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 30.5% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 41.3% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Syracuse
434
Syracuse +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 434 | Syracuse + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1736 | Syracuse + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Cruces +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Syracuse
12.7%
Syracuse +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Syracuse
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 41.5% | Las Cruces + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.7% | Syracuse + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 20.8% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 9.7% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.3% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 16.1% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Syracuse
41.5 in
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 41.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Cruces leads in median household income at $55,176, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Syracuse is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Las Cruces has a lower unemployment rate at 7.4%, 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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