Las Cruces, New Mexico, known as "The City of the Crosses," is a picturesque and historic community located near El Paso, Texas. With its rich cultural heritage, strong local economy, and welcoming community, Las Cruces offers a high quality of life for its residents. The city's blend of suburban tranquility and urban amenities makes living in Las Cruces an attractive option for families and professionals.
Residents of Las Cruces enjoy a variety of recreational activities and cultural events. The city's numerous parks, museums, and cultural institutions provide ample opportunities for outdoor activities and enrichment. The New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum and the Las Cruces Museum of Art are popular destinations that celebrate the city's cultural richness and natural beauty. The annual Las Cruces Country Music Festival and the Dia de los Muertos Celebration are events that showcase Las Cruces' ...
Las Cruces' strong economy is supported by a diverse range of industries, including agriculture, education, and healthcare. The city's strategic location near El Paso provides residents with easy access to job opportunities and cultural amenities in both metropolitan areas. Major employers in the area include New Mexico State University and Memorial Medical Center.
Las Cruces places a strong emphasis on community health and wellness, with numerous parks, recreational facilities, and health programs available to residents. The city's commitment to promoting an active and healthy lifestyle contributes to the overall well-being of its community.
Public transportation in Las Cruces is well-developed, with access to RoadRUNNER Transit buses, facilitating easy commutes within the city and to neighboring areas. Las Cruces' climate features hot, dry summers and mild winters, allowing for year-round outdoor activities. Overall, Las Cruces offers a blend of natural beauty, economic opportunity, and community spirit, making it a desirable place to live.
Cost Of Living
Residents in this area benefit from an affordable cost of living. This includes goods and services, transportation, housing, utilities, groceries and healthcare.
Housing
The housing category in this area boasts higher than average scores, likely influenced by a positive home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Commute
Commuters in this area may experience longer-than-average work commute times due to limited public transportation access.
Crime
High crime rates per 100,000 people are reported in this area, potentially indicating that it is an unsafe place to live. These statistics consider both violent and property offenses.
Employment
The combination of low income levels and high unemployment rates contributes to a low score in the employment category, which could make it challenging to secure well-paying jobs.
Health & Safety
Factors like poor air quality and the absence of essential health-related facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and pharmacies could have played a role in the low score in this category.
Schools
Factors such as lower than average graduation rates, lackluster reading and math scores and the limited accessibility of local elementary and high schools could contribute to the low schools score.
Located in the state of New Mexico, Las Cruces is a moderately-sized city with a population of 102,950 inhabitants. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (79% White). Given that fact, Las Cruces could be considered less diverse than other cities. Additionally, more than a quarter of the population of Las Cruces are of Hispanic or Latino origin, and 34% of the population also speak Spanish. The median age of all Las Cruces residents is 33, which is well below the national average. This is a good indication that this city could be ideal for a younger demographic. Las Cruces is very likely to be a great place to live for singles as only 45%, of the population (over fifteen) are classified as married. If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in Las Cruces. With an average one way commute time of only 18 minutes, getting to and from work is a breeze compared to the national average of 26 minutes.
If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very intimidating task. However, it could also be a fulfilling experience if you are willing to get to know the area before actually living in Las Cruces, New Mexico. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. The best areas in Las Cruces and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from amenities, crime, cost of living, health & safety, education, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the New Mexico and national averages.
Las Cruces has a livability score of 61 out of 100 and is ranked #89 in New Mexico and #15,348 in the USA. For each of the livability categories, we can establish that Las Cruces ranks very well for cost of living (A+) and housing (B). On a more negative note, Las Cruces does not have favorable scores for the following: crime (F), education (D-) and employment (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.
For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Las Cruces apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.
There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Las Cruces is actually affordable. The median home price for Las Cruces homes is $161,100, which is 0.3% lower than the New Mexico average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Las Cruces, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.6, which is 2.9% higher than the New Mexico average.
| Statistic | Las Cruces | New Mexico | National |
| Average one way commute | 18min | 22min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 77.1% | 79.8% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 11.5% | 10.1% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.6% | 1.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 1.7% | 0.7% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 2.2% | 2.2% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 6.0% | 4.7% | 4.6% |
Here are the best places to live in New Mexico
Safest States In The US
Check out the 10 most dangerous cities in New Mexico
These are the 10 cheapest cities in New Mexico