Las Cruces NM vs Tucson AZ — 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Tucson
34.6
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Tucson
13.7%
Tucson +
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Tucson
5.0%
Tucson +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Tucson
3.1%
Tucson +
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Tucson
42.7%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 34.6 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 13.7% | Tucson + |
| White | 54.1% | 58.2% | Tucson + |
| Black | 2.6% | 5.0% | Tucson + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 3.1% | Tucson + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 42.7% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Las Cruces +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Tucson
$31,152
Tucson +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Tucson
$59,120
Tucson +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Tucson
6.4%
Tucson +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Tucson
18.8%
Tucson +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $54,546 | Las Cruces + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $31,152 | Tucson + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $59,120 | Tucson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 6.4% | Tucson + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 18.8% | Tucson + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 30.2% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Tucson
$324,946
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
Tucson
51.7%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $324,946 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 51.7% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Tucson
450
Tucson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Tucson
2150
Tucson +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 450 | Tucson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2150 | Tucson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Tucson
11.5%
Tucson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
Tucson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Tucson
15.7%
Tucson +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
Tucson
12.5%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 33.5% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.5% | Tucson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 18.3% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 15.7% | Tucson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.5% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Las Cruces +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Tucson
12.2 in
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | 69.8°F | Las Cruces + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 12.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 7.1 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 +
Tucson
23.9 min
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 23.9 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Cruces leads in median household income at $55,176, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Tucson is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Tucson has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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