Las Cruces NM vs Temecula 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%
Temecula, CA
California · Population: 110,404
- Median HH Income$117,840
- Median Home Price$769,756
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+39.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Las Cruces +
Temecula
110,404
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Temecula
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Temecula
36.3
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Temecula
16.6%
Temecula +
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Temecula
57.0%
Temecula +
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Temecula
4.3%
Temecula +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Temecula
11.5%
Temecula +
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Temecula
28.5%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Temecula
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 110,404 | Las Cruces + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 36.3 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 16.6% | Temecula + |
| White | 54.1% | 57.0% | Temecula + |
| Black | 2.6% | 4.3% | Temecula + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 11.5% | Temecula + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 28.5% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Temecula
$117,840
Temecula +
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Temecula
$44,826
Temecula +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Temecula
$77,230
Temecula +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Temecula
5.8%
Temecula +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Temecula
7.4%
Temecula +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Temecula
39.2%
Temecula +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $117,840 | Temecula + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $44,826 | Temecula + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $77,230 | Temecula + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 5.8% | Temecula + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 7.4% | Temecula + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 39.2% | Temecula + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Temecula
$769,756
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Temecula
67.7%
Temecula +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $769,756 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 67.7% | Temecula + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Temecula
503
Temecula +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Temecula
2388
Temecula +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 503 | Temecula + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2388 | Temecula + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Temecula
33.0%
Temecula +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Temecula
9.6%
Temecula +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
Temecula
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Temecula
6.8%
Temecula +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Temecula
15.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Temecula
9.8%
Temecula +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 33.0% | Temecula + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 9.6% | Temecula + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 16.6% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 6.8% | Temecula + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 9.8% | Temecula + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Temecula
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Temecula
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Temecula, 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 +
Temecula
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Temecula
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Temecula, 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 +
Temecula
38.7 min
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 38.7 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Temecula leads in median household income at $117,840, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Temecula is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Temecula has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Temecula scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.0%.
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