Las Cruces NM vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Las Cruces
112,612
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Cruces
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Worcester
34.1
Foreign Born
Las Cruces
10.1%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Las Cruces
54.1%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
Las Cruces
2.6%
Worcester
12.1%
Worcester +
Asian
Las Cruces
1.9%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Worcester
24.9%
Spanish at Home
Las Cruces
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.7 | 34.1 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 54.1% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 2.6% | 12.1% | Worcester + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 59.4% | 24.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Cruces
$55,176
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Las Cruces
$30,804
Worcester
$35,825
Worcester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Cruces
$53,141
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Las Cruces
7.4%
Worcester
6.4%
Worcester +
Poverty Rate
Las Cruces
22.0%
Worcester
19.8%
Worcester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,176 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,804 | $35,825 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 6.4% | Worcester + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 19.8% | Worcester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 34.1% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $290,963 | $435,532 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 42.4% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
834
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
3177
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
35.4%
Worcester
35.3%
Worcester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
13.0%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
17.7%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 35.3% | Worcester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 19.9% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 17.1% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 14.5% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Cruces
N/A
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.8°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Cruces
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Las Cruces +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.5 min | 27.3 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Worcester has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Worcester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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