Las Cruces NM vs Tuscaloosa AL — 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%
Tuscaloosa, AL
Alabama · Population: 107,699
- Median HH Income$48,536
- Median Home Price$231,461
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Las Cruces +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Las Cruces +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 107,699 | Las Cruces + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 4.7% | Las Cruces + |
| White | 54.1% | 49.6% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 2.6% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 2.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 5.2% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Las Cruces +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Tuscaloosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Las Cruces +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Las Cruces +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $48,536 | Las Cruces + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $31,324 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $51,690 | Las Cruces + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 7.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 23.8% | Las Cruces + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 38.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 45.1% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Tuscaloosa
400
Tuscaloosa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 400 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1734 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Cruces +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Tuscaloosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 42.6% | Las Cruces + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 21.3% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 11.5% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.1% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 14.7% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Las Cruces +
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | 65.0°F | Las Cruces + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Tuscaloosa, AL | 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
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Cruces leads in median household income at $55,176, while tuscaloosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,461. On public safety, Tuscaloosa is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Tuscaloosa has a lower unemployment rate at 7.0%, 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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