Moving to Las Cruces
What you need to know before relocating to Las Cruces, New Mexico. Data-driven insights on housing, jobs, safety, and quality of life.
Is Las Cruces a Good Place to Live?
Las Cruces presents a mixed picture. Prospective residents should weigh the tradeoffs carefully. Key considerations: median household income ($56,451) trails the national median; violent crime rate (749/100k) exceeds the national average.
Las Cruces at a Glance
Cost of Living in Las Cruces
The median rent in Las Cruces is $933/month, while the median home value is $228,000. With a median household income of $56,451, residents spend roughly 20% of monthly income on rent.
Overall, the Las Cruces metro area is classified as very affordable compared to other US metros.
Job Market
Las Cruces has a median household income of $56,451, which is 24% below the national median. The local unemployment rate is 4.3%, compared to the national average of 3.7%.
Safety in Las Cruces
The violent crime rate in Las Cruces is 749 per 100,000 residents, which is 97% above the national average of 380.
Property crime rate: 2887 per 100,000 residents.
Education in New Mexico
New Mexico has a high school graduation rate of 88% and per-pupil spending of $14,687/year. The student-to-teacher ratio is 16:1.
29% of New Mexico adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Healthcare Access
New Mexico has 262 physicians per 100,000 residents, a 10.3% uninsured rate, and 2.8 hospital beds per 1,000 people. Life expectancy in New Mexico is 76.2 years.
Pros and Cons of Living in Las Cruces
+Pros
- ✓Rent ($933/mo) is below the national average
- ✓Home prices ($228,000) are well below the US median
-Cons
- ✗Median household income ($56,451) trails the national median
- ✗Violent crime rate (749/100k) exceeds the national average
- ✗Longer-than-average commute (90716 min)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Las Cruces a good place to live?⌄
Las Cruces has both advantages and drawbacks. Prospective residents should weigh median household income ($56,451) trails the national median and violent crime rate (749/100k) exceeds the national average against other lifestyle factors.
What is the cost of living in Las Cruces?⌄
The median rent in Las Cruces is $933/month and the median home value is $228,000. The median household income is $56,451. Overall the metro is considered very affordable.
Is Las Cruces safe?⌄
Las Cruces has a violent crime rate of 749 incidents per 100,000 residents. The national average is approximately 380 per 100,000.
What is the job market like in Las Cruces?⌄
Las Cruces has an unemployment rate of 4.3%, compared to the national average of 3.7%. The median household income is $56,451.