Las Cruces NM vs Tacoma WA — 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Tacoma
12.2%
Tacoma +
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Tacoma
10.5%
Tacoma +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Tacoma
13.1%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 37.3 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 12.2% | Tacoma + |
| White | 54.1% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 2.6% | 10.5% | Tacoma + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 13.1% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
Tacoma
33.5%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 5.3% | Tacoma + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 33.5% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $496,966 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Las Cruces +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 383 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 3409 | Las Cruces + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Cruces +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 37.3% | Las Cruces + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 18.7% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.8% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Tacoma
53.5°F
Tacoma +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | 53.5°F | Tacoma + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 7.5 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 +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 31.1 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Tacoma is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Tacoma has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, 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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