Las Cruces NM vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Las Cruces +
Waco
9.8%
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Waco
2.0%
Waco +
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Waco
29.9%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 9.8% | Las Cruces + |
| White | 54.1% | 54.0% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 2.6% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 2.0% | Waco + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 29.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Las Cruces +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Las Cruces +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Las Cruces +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $51,468 | Las Cruces + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $28,819 | Las Cruces + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $63,758 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 24.0% | Las Cruces + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 28.6% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 48.9% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Waco
442
Waco +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Waco
2339
Waco +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 442 | Waco + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2339 | Waco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Cruces +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Waco
13.0%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Las Cruces +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 36.8% | Las Cruces + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.0% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 20.4% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 20.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.2% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 15.1% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Las Cruces +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | 66.6°F | Las Cruces + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 36.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Las Cruces +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Las Cruces + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Cruces leads in median household income at $55,176, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Waco is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, 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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