Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Las Cruces, NM
VS
Minneapolis, MN
🏆 Las Cruces leads 15 of 23 categories
Las Cruces
New Mexico
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$51,013
Violent Crime Index
189⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
111,273
Minneapolis
Minnesota
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$76,332 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
305⚠ High
Population
426,877 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Las Cruces, NM
Pros
Homes cost $132k less ($197,200 vs $328,700)
38% less violent crime than Minneapolis
Rent averages $360/mo less ($907 vs $1,267)
Milder winters — January highs near 59°F vs 22°F
11% cheaper overall cost of living than Minneapolis
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Cons
Median income trails Minneapolis by $25,319/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 5.8%)
Minneapolis, MN
Pros
Households earn $25,319 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.7 pts lower (5.8%)
More college-educated — 53.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 83°F vs 96°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $328,700
Violent crime (1160.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (5142.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Cost of living runs 11% higher than Las Cruces
Key Differences at a Glance
Las Cruces
Cost of Living
11% cheaper
COL index 93.8 vs 104.5 (100 = US avg)
Las Cruces
Violent Crime
38% lower
720.0 vs 1160.2 per 100k
Las Cruces
Median Home Value
$132k less
$197,200 vs $328,700
Las Cruces
Summer Heat
12.5°F warmer
July avg high 95.6°F vs 83.1°F
Minneapolis
Median Income
$25,319
$76,332 vs $51,013/yr
Minneapolis
Unemployment
1.7 pp lower
5.8% vs 7.5% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Minneapolis, MN |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 93.8 ✓ Cheaper | 104.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $197,200 ✓ Lower | $328,700⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $907 ✓ Lower | $1,267 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $51,013 | $76,332 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.5%⚠ High | 5.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.0 min ✓ Shorter | 22.9 min |
| Work From Home % | 7.7% | 19.6% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 207⚠ High ✓ Safer | 281⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 189⚠ High ✓ Safer | 305⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 232⚠ High ✓ Safer | 245⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (113) | A- (117) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 11.2:1 ✓ Smaller | 11.9:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 36.3% | 53.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 87.7% | 90.8% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | LAS CRUCES | Minneapolis Public School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 58.9°F ✓ Warmer | 21.7°F |
| Avg High — July | 95.6°F ✓ Warmer | 83.1°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 11.0" ✓ Drier | 33.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 1.0" ✓ Less | 40.4" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 111,273 | 426,877 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 32.8 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% ✓ Higher | 48.1% |
| Under 18 | 23.0% ✓ More | 19.1% |
| Over 65 | 15.3% ✓ More | 10.7% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Las Cruces's cost of living index is 93.8 vs Minneapolis's 104.5 (US average = 100).
Las Cruces is 11% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Las Cruces leads 15 of 23 categories. Las Cruces wins 15 and Minneapolis wins 8. 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 Minneapolis or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($197,200 vs $328,700 median home), income ($51,013 vs $76,332), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Las Cruces, NM and Minneapolis, MN are about 1,135 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.