Las Cruces NM vs Tallahassee FL — 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%
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Tallahassee
199,696
Tallahassee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Las Cruces +
Tallahassee
8.0%
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
Tallahassee
50.7%
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Tallahassee
35.7%
Tallahassee +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Tallahassee
4.0%
Tallahassee +
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Tallahassee
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 199,696 | Tallahassee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 28.0 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 8.0% | Las Cruces + |
| White | 54.1% | 50.7% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 2.6% | 35.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 4.0% | Tallahassee + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 8.6% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Tallahassee
$55,931
Tallahassee +
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Tallahassee
$35,704
Tallahassee +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Tallahassee
$65,328
Tallahassee +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Tallahassee
6.5%
Tallahassee +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Las Cruces +
Tallahassee
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Tallahassee
51.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $55,931 | Tallahassee + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $35,704 | Tallahassee + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $65,328 | Tallahassee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 6.5% | Tallahassee + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 23.2% | Las Cruces + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 51.0% | Tallahassee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Tallahassee
$293,664
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
Tallahassee
39.5%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $293,664 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 39.5% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Tallahassee
324
Tallahassee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Tallahassee
1453
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 324 | Tallahassee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1453 | Tallahassee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Tallahassee
34.1%
Tallahassee +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Tallahassee
9.6%
Tallahassee +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
Tallahassee
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Tallahassee
13.2%
Tallahassee +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Tallahassee
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
Tallahassee
12.2%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 34.1% | Tallahassee + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 9.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 20.3% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 13.2% | Tallahassee + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.7% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.2% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Las Cruces +
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Tallahassee
58.1 in
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | 67.6°F | Las Cruces + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Tallahassee
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Tallahassee
20.3 min
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 20.3 min | Tallahassee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tallahassee leads in median household income at $55,931, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Tallahassee is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Tallahassee has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tallahassee scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.1%.
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