Las Cruces NM vs Winston-Salem 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%
Winston-Salem, NC
North Carolina · Population: 118,578
- Median HH Income$63,900
- Median Home Price$265,013
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+45.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Winston-Salem
118,578
Winston-Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Las Cruces +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Winston-Salem +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Las Cruces +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 118,578 | Winston-Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 37.5 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 5.7% | Las Cruces + |
| White | 54.1% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 2.6% | 14.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 1.3% | Las Cruces + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 8.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Winston-Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Winston-Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $63,900 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $59,120 | Winston-Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 16.3% | Winston-Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Winston-Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $265,013 | Winston-Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 46.8% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Winston-Salem
398
Winston-Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Winston-Salem
1999
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 398 | Winston-Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1999 | Winston-Salem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Cruces +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Las Cruces +
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
Winston-Salem
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Winston-Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 42.7% | Las Cruces + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.1% | Las Cruces + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 17.4% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 12.8% | Winston-Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 14.4% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Winston-Salem, NC | 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 +
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Winston-Salem, 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
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Winston-Salem leads in median household income at $63,900, while winston-Salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,013. On public safety, Winston-Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Winston-Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, 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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