City Comparison
Las Cruces vs Albuquerque
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Las Cruces scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Las Cruces
Albuquerque
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Las Cruces is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
57% lower than in Albuquerque.
| Metric | Las Cruces | Albuquerque | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,068 | $1,178 | -9% |
| Groceries | $450 | $400 | +13% |
| Utilities | $198 | $195 | +2% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $2,723 | -94% |
| Monthly Total | $1,986 | $4,616 | -57% |
| Cost Index | 91 | 97 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Albuquerque offers 31% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Albuquerque delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Las Cruces is estimated at
$64,000 vs $69,443 in Albuquerque.
| Metric | Las Cruces | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,790 | $77,000 |
| Salary Needed | $64,000 | $69,443 |
| Purchasing Power | 58,011 idx | 79,381 idx |
| Household Income | $55,422 | $71,494 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Las Cruces | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 4.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Las Cruces has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Albuquerque.
Albuquerque scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Albuquerque leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Las Cruces | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 25 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 34.0/100 | 43.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Albuquerque is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Las Cruces.
From a growth perspective, Las Cruces is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Albuquerque has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Las Cruces | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 116,998 | 560,326 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.99% | — |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 38.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Las Cruces
Advantages
The cost of living in Las Cruces is significantly lower than the national average, particularly for housing and utilities. [9, 10, 35, 39]
Las Cruces offers a pleasant climate with abundant sunshine, ideal for outdoor activities year-round. [4, 8, 12 in previous search, 28 in previous search]
The city has a thriving job market with consistent growth in key sectors like healthcare, education, and government. [4, 5, 7, 13, 17, 40]
Las Cruces was ranked 9th among small cities for overall economic growth in a 2025 study, indicating strong economic momentum. [29, 41]
The community is known for its friendly, welcoming atmosphere and rich cultural heritage. [8, 24 in previous search, 30 in previous search]
Drawbacks
Las Cruces has a high crime rate, with violent crime reported to be 68% higher and property crime 153% higher than the national average in 2024. [20]
The city is largely car-dependent, with limited public transit options and a low walkability score. [10, 11, 22]
Some residents report challenges with the quality and access to medical specialists and addiction treatment services. [8, 44 in previous search, 45 in previous search]
Average hourly earnings in Las Cruces are lower than the national average. [41 in previous search, 17]
Traffic congestion can lead to annual delays for drivers. [43 in previous search]
Albuquerque
Advantages
The cost of living in Albuquerque is 3% lower than the national average, making it more affordable than many U.S. cities.
Housing expenses are notably reasonable, with average rent 29% lower than the national average.
Albuquerque boasts a highly accessible park system, ranking 15th nationally in 2024, with 90% of residents living within a walkable half-mile of a park.
The city offers a rich cultural heritage and a vibrant arts scene, including the renowned International Balloon Fiesta.
Healthcare costs are lower than the national average, with annual medical costs for a single adult around $2,723 in 2024.
Drawbacks
Albuquerque has a high violent crime rate, which is 229% above the national average, resulting in an 'F' safety grade.
The city's overall walkability score of 43 indicates a high reliance on cars for most daily errands.
Despite a decrease in violent crime, burglaries increased by 11% in 2024.
The population experienced a slight decline of 0.25% in 2024.
Specific recent data for long-term care costs (home care, assisted living, nursing home) were not readily available.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Las Cruces
#491New Mexico, USA
53.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,068
Avg Salary
$52,790
Cost Index
91
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
34.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.99%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
78
Business
70
Albuquerque
#558New Mexico, USA
47.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,178
Avg Salary
$77,000
Cost Index
97
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
43.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
74
Business
68
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