Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Buckeye, AZ
VS
Las Cruces, NM
🏆 Buckeye leads 14 of 23 categories
Buckeye
Arizona
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.0
Median Household Income
$94,188 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
44 ✓ Safer
Population
95,042
Las Cruces
New Mexico
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$51,013
Violent Crime Index
189⚠ High
Population
111,273 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Buckeye, AZ
Pros
Households earn $43,175 more per year on average
77% less violent crime than Las Cruces
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.5 pts lower (5.0%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (166.8 vs 380/100k)
Milder winters — January highs near 66°F vs 59°F
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,597/mo
Pricier housing — median home is $341,700
Longer commutes — 32.5 min average each way
Hot summers — July highs average 107°F
Las Cruces, NM
Pros
Rent averages $690/mo less ($907 vs $1,597)
Homes cost $145k less ($197,200 vs $341,700)
Commutes run 14 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 36.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Living costs sit below the national average (index 93.8)
Cooler summers — July highs near 96°F vs 107°F
Cons
Median income trails Buckeye by $43,175/yr
Violent crime (720.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (4873.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (7.5% vs 5.0%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Buckeye
Median Income
$43,175
$94,188 vs $51,013/yr
Buckeye
Violent Crime
77% lower
166.8 vs 720.0 per 100k
Buckeye
Unemployment
2.5 pp lower
5.0% vs 7.5% unemployment
Buckeye
Summer Heat
10.9°F warmer
July avg high 106.5°F vs 95.6°F
Las Cruces
Cost of Living
6% cheaper
COL index 93.8 vs 100.0 (100 = US avg)
Las Cruces
Median Home Value
$145k less
$197,200 vs $341,700
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Buckeye, AZ | Las Cruces, NM |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 100.0 | 93.8 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $341,700⚠ High | $197,200 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,597⚠ High | $907 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $94,188 ✓ Higher | $51,013 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.5%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 32.5 min⚠ High | 19.0 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 14.2% ✓ Higher | 7.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 41 ✓ Safer | 207⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 44 ✓ Safer | 189⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 37 ✓ Safer | 232⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C- (72) | A- (113) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 20.2:1 | 11.2:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 22.9% | 36.3% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 88.2% ✓ Higher | 87.7% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Litchfield Elementary District (4281) | LAS CRUCES |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 66.1°F ✓ Warmer | 58.9°F |
| Avg High — July | 106.5°F ✓ Warmer | 95.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 8.0" ✓ Drier | 11.0" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 1.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 95,042 | 111,273 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 34.7 ✓ Older | 31.8 |
| Homeownership Rate | 85.3% ✓ Higher | 53.8% |
| Under 18 | 28.5% ✓ More | 23.0% |
| Over 65 | 12.9% | 15.3% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Buckeye's cost of living index is 100.0 vs Las Cruces's 93.8 (US average = 100).
Las Cruces is 6% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Buckeye leads 14 of 23 categories. Buckeye wins 14 and Las Cruces wins 9. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Buckeye to Las Cruces or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($341,700 vs $197,200 median home), income ($94,188 vs $51,013), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Buckeye, AZ and Las Cruces, NM are about 348 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.