Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Las Cruces, NM
VS
Lynn, MA
🏆 Las Cruces leads 16 of 23 categories
Las Cruces
New Mexico
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$51,013
Violent Crime Index
189⚠ High
Population
111,273 ✓ Larger
Lynn
Massachusetts
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$70,046 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
151⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
100,653
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Las Cruces, NM
Pros
Homes cost $246k less ($197,200 vs $442,800)
Rent averages $604/mo less ($907 vs $1,511)
Commutes run 12 min shorter each way
18% cheaper overall cost of living than Lynn
More college-educated — 36.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 59°F vs 36°F
Cons
Median income trails Lynn by $19,033/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 5.7%)
Lynn, MA
Pros
Households earn $19,033 more per year on average
20% less violent crime than Las Cruces
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.8 pts lower (5.7%)
Cooler summers — July highs near 80°F vs 96°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $442,800
Higher rents — median is $1,511/mo
Violent crime (574.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 18% higher than Las Cruces
Key Differences at a Glance
Las Cruces
Cost of Living
18% cheaper
COL index 93.8 vs 111.6 (100 = US avg)
Las Cruces
Median Home Value
$246k less
$197,200 vs $442,800
Las Cruces
Summer Heat
15.3°F warmer
July avg high 95.6°F vs 80.3°F
Lynn
Median Income
$19,033
$70,046 vs $51,013/yr
Lynn
Violent Crime
20% lower
574.6 vs 720.0 per 100k
Lynn
Unemployment
1.8 pp lower
5.7% vs 7.5% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Lynn, MA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 93.8 ✓ Cheaper | 111.6⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $197,200 ✓ Lower | $442,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $907 ✓ Lower | $1,511⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $51,013 | $70,046 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.5%⚠ High | 5.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.0 min ✓ Shorter | 31.3 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 7.7% ✓ Higher | 6.1% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 207⚠ High | 113⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 189⚠ High | 151⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 232⚠ High | 56 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (113) ✓ Better | B- (96) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 11.2:1 ✓ Smaller | 12.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 36.3% ✓ Higher | 21.9% |
| High School or Higher | 87.7% ✓ Higher | 77.2% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | LAS CRUCES | Lynn |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 58.9°F ✓ Warmer | 36.1°F |
| Avg High — July | 95.6°F ✓ Warmer | 80.3°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 11.0" ✓ Drier | 47.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 1.0" ✓ Less | 39.1" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 111,273 ✓ Larger | 100,653 |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 36.2 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% ✓ Higher | 48.6% |
| Under 18 | 23.0% | 24.0% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 15.3% ✓ More | 13.1% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Las Cruces's cost of living index is 93.8 vs Lynn's 111.6 (US average = 100).
Las Cruces is 18% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Las Cruces leads 16 of 23 categories. Las Cruces wins 16 and Lynn wins 7. 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 Las Cruces to Lynn or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($197,200 vs $442,800 median home), income ($51,013 vs $70,046), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Las Cruces, NM and Lynn, MA are about 2,070 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.