Las Cruces NM vs Tulsa OK — 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%
Tulsa, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 412,322
- Median HH Income$58,407
- Median Home Price$220,279
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+33.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Tulsa
35.5
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Tulsa
11.9%
Tulsa +
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Tulsa
57.0%
Tulsa +
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Tulsa
14.2%
Tulsa +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Tulsa
3.5%
Tulsa +
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Tulsa
19.2%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 412,322 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 35.5 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 11.9% | Tulsa + |
| White | 54.1% | 57.0% | Tulsa + |
| Black | 2.6% | 14.2% | Tulsa + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 3.5% | Tulsa + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 19.2% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Tulsa
$58,407
Tulsa +
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Tulsa
$37,533
Tulsa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Tulsa
$57,929
Tulsa +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Tulsa
6.1%
Tulsa +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Tulsa
18.6%
Tulsa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
Tulsa
33.3%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $58,407 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $37,533 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $57,929 | Tulsa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 6.1% | Tulsa + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 18.6% | Tulsa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 33.3% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Tulsa
$220,279
Tulsa +
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
Tulsa
52.0%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $220,279 | Tulsa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 52.0% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Tulsa
429
Tulsa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Tulsa
2375
Tulsa +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 429 | Tulsa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2375 | Tulsa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Cruces +
Tulsa
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Tulsa
12.8%
Tulsa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
Tulsa
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Tulsa
14.4%
Tulsa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
Tulsa
16.3%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 37.5% | Las Cruces + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.8% | Tulsa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 18.8% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 14.4% | Tulsa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 16.3% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Las Cruces +
Tulsa
60.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Tulsa
41.0 in
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | 60.8°F | Las Cruces + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 41.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 20.2 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tulsa leads in median household income at $58,407, while tulsa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $220,279. On public safety, Tulsa is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Tulsa has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, 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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