Las Cruces NM vs Wichita KS — 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%
Wichita, KS
Kansas · Population: 396,488
- Median HH Income$63,072
- Median Home Price$204,104
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+30.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Wichita
396,488
Wichita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Wichita
35.7
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Las Cruces +
Wichita
10.0%
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Wichita
66.6%
Wichita +
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Wichita
9.7%
Wichita +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Wichita
4.9%
Wichita +
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Wichita
18.4%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 396,488 | Wichita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 35.7 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 10.0% | Las Cruces + |
| White | 54.1% | 66.6% | Wichita + |
| Black | 2.6% | 9.7% | Wichita + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 4.9% | Wichita + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 18.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Wichita
$63,072
Wichita +
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Wichita
$35,958
Wichita +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Wichita
$61,860
Wichita +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Wichita
5.7%
Wichita +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Wichita
15.9%
Wichita +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
Wichita
30.9%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $63,072 | Wichita + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $35,958 | Wichita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $61,860 | Wichita + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 5.7% | Wichita + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 15.9% | Wichita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 30.9% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Wichita
$204,104
Wichita +
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Wichita
58.4%
Wichita +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $204,104 | Wichita + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 58.4% | Wichita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Wichita
449
Wichita +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Wichita
2174
Wichita +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 449 | Wichita + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 2174 | Wichita + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Cruces +
Wichita
39.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Wichita
12.6%
Wichita +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
Wichita
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Wichita
12.9%
Wichita +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Wichita
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
Wichita
16.3%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 39.5% | Las Cruces + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.6% | Wichita + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 17.7% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 12.9% | Wichita + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 16.3% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Wichita
57.0°F
Wichita +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Wichita
32.6 in
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | 57.0°F | Wichita + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 32.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Wichita
20.2 min
Wichita +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 20.2 min | Wichita + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wichita leads in median household income at $63,072, while wichita offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,104. On public safety, Wichita is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Wichita has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, 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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