Las Cruces NM vs Topeka KS — 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%
Topeka, KS
Kansas · Population: 126,103
- Median HH Income$55,902
- Median Home Price$193,522
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+29.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Topeka
126,103
Topeka +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Las Cruces +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Topeka
9.7%
Topeka +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Las Cruces +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Topeka
16.9%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 126,103 | Topeka + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 38.2 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 5.3% | Las Cruces + |
| White | 54.1% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 2.6% | 9.7% | Topeka + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 1.8% | Las Cruces + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 16.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Topeka
$55,902
Topeka +
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Topeka
$33,290
Topeka +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Topeka
$61,860
Topeka +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $55,902 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $33,290 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $61,860 | Topeka + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 29.1% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Topeka
449
Topeka +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Topeka
2174
Topeka +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 449 | Topeka + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2174 | Topeka + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Cruces +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Las Cruces +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
Topeka
16.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Topeka
11.4%
Topeka +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 39.7% | Las Cruces + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.1% | Las Cruces + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 16.8% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 11.4% | Topeka + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 16.9% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Topeka
54.5°F
Topeka +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | 54.5°F | Topeka + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Topeka leads in median household income at $55,902, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Topeka is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Topeka has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, 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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