Las Cruces NM vs Wilmington NC — 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, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Wilmington
35.6
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
Wilmington
48.7%
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Wilmington
2.3%
Wilmington +
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Wilmington
17.9%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 35.6 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| White | 54.1% | 48.7% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 2.6% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 2.3% | Wilmington + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 17.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Wilmington
$57,673
Wilmington +
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Wilmington
$35,074
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Wilmington
$59,120
Wilmington +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Wilmington
5.9%
Wilmington +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
Wilmington
37.2%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $57,673 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $35,074 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $59,120 | Wilmington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 5.9% | Wilmington + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 37.2% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Wilmington
$419,326
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
Wilmington
54.6%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $419,326 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 54.6% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Wilmington
398
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Wilmington
1999
Wilmington +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 398 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1999 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Wilmington
31.9%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
Wilmington
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Wilmington
9.6%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
Wilmington
12.2%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 31.9% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 17.4% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 9.6% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 17.5% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.2% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Las Cruces +
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | 63.8°F | Las Cruces + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 8.7 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
23.2 min
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 23.2 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wilmington leads in median household income at $57,673, 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 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Wilmington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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