Las Cruces NM vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Washington
34.9
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Washington
4.1%
Washington +
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 34.9 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 13.3% | Washington + |
| White | 54.1% | 39.1% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 2.6% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 4.1% | Washington + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 11.6% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Washington
6.5%
Washington +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 6.5% | Washington + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 14.5% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $580,173 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 41.1% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Washington
398
Washington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Washington
1999
Washington +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 398 | Washington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1999 | Washington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 24.0% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Washington, DC | 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
Las Cruces +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 32.8 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Washington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Washington has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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