Las Cruces NM vs Vancouver WA — 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%
Vancouver, WA
Washington · Population: 192,696
- Median HH Income$78,156
- Median Home Price$510,577
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Vancouver
192,696
Vancouver +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Vancouver
37.5
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Vancouver
13.6%
Vancouver +
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Vancouver
70.6%
Vancouver +
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Vancouver
3.1%
Vancouver +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Vancouver
5.3%
Vancouver +
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Vancouver
17.2%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 192,696 | Vancouver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 37.5 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 13.6% | Vancouver + |
| White | 54.1% | 70.6% | Vancouver + |
| Black | 2.6% | 3.1% | Vancouver + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 5.3% | Vancouver + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 17.2% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Vancouver
$78,156
Vancouver +
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Vancouver
$42,839
Vancouver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Vancouver
$76,120
Vancouver +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Vancouver
5.6%
Vancouver +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Vancouver
11.1%
Vancouver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
Vancouver
31.5%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $78,156 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $42,839 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $76,120 | Vancouver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 5.6% | Vancouver + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 11.1% | Vancouver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 31.5% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Vancouver
$510,577
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
Vancouver
49.9%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $510,577 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 49.9% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Vancouver
383
Vancouver +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Las Cruces +
Vancouver
3409
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 383 | Vancouver + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 3409 | Las Cruces + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Cruces +
Vancouver
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Vancouver
9.9%
Vancouver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
Vancouver
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Vancouver
9.4%
Vancouver +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Vancouver
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Vancouver
11.7%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 36.2% | Las Cruces + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 9.9% | Vancouver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 19.1% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 9.4% | Vancouver + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.3% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 11.7% | Vancouver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Vancouver
52.1°F
Vancouver +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Vancouver
41.6 in
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | 52.1°F | Vancouver + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 41.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Vancouver
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 7.5 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 +
Vancouver
25.1 min
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 25.1 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vancouver leads in median household income at $78,156, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Vancouver is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Vancouver has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, 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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