Las Cruces NM vs Thornton CO — 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%
Thornton, CO
Colorado · Population: 142,878
- Median HH Income$100,985
- Median Home Price$505,085
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+32.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Thornton
142,878
Thornton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Thornton
34.3
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Las Cruces +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Thornton
37.4%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 142,878 | Thornton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 34.3 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 54.1% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 2.6% | 2.2% | Las Cruces + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 37.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 32.2% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $505,085 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Thornton
512
Thornton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Las Cruces +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 512 | Thornton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 3234 | Las Cruces + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
Thornton
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Thornton
15.2%
Thornton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 17.0% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 15.2% | Thornton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 17.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.6% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Thornton, CO | 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 +
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Las Cruces +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 32.8 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Thornton is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Thornton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Thornton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.8%.
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