Las Cruces NM vs Wilmington DE — 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%
Wilmington, DE
Delaware · Population: 71,124
- Median HH Income$55,269
- Median Home Price$327,117
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Las Cruces +
Wilmington
71,124
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Wilmington
37.0
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Las Cruces +
Wilmington
8.3%
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
Wilmington
32.4%
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Wilmington
52.3%
Wilmington +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Las Cruces +
Wilmington
1.6%
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Wilmington
11.8%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 71,124 | Las Cruces + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 37.0 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 8.3% | Las Cruces + |
| White | 54.1% | 32.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 2.6% | 52.3% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 1.6% | Las Cruces + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 11.8% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Wilmington
$55,269
Wilmington +
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Wilmington
$38,786
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Wilmington
$64,087
Wilmington +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Las Cruces +
Wilmington
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Las Cruces +
Wilmington
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
Wilmington
33.1%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $55,269 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $38,786 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $64,087 | Wilmington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 7.6% | Las Cruces + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 23.2% | Las Cruces + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 33.1% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Wilmington
$327,117
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
Wilmington
46.0%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $327,117 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 46.0% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Wilmington
394
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Wilmington
1991
Wilmington +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 394 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1991 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Cruces +
Wilmington
41.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Las Cruces +
Wilmington
16.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
Wilmington
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Wilmington
12.7%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Wilmington
13.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
Wilmington
16.4%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 41.0% | Las Cruces + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 16.0% | Las Cruces + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 18.4% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 12.7% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 13.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 16.4% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Wilmington
54.4°F
Wilmington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Wilmington
49.3 in
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | 54.4°F | Wilmington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Wilmington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Wilmington, DE | 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 +
Wilmington
25.0 min
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 25.0 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wilmington leads in median household income at $55,269, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 394 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Las Cruces has a lower unemployment rate at 7.4%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
Las Cruces, NM vs New York, NYLas Cruces, NM vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Las Cruces, NMHouston, TX vs Las Cruces, NMLas Cruces, NM vs Phoenix, AZLas Cruces, NM vs Philadelphia, PA