Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Las Cruces, NM
VS
Richmond, VA
🏆 Las Cruces leads 13 of 23 categories
Las Cruces
New Mexico
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$51,013
Violent Crime Index
189⚠ High
Population
111,273
Richmond
Virginia
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0
Median Household Income
$59,606 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
89 ✓ Safer
Population
227,171 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Las Cruces, NM
Pros
Homes cost $111k less ($197,200 vs $308,300)
Rent averages $320/mo less ($907 vs $1,227)
Commutes run 3 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 93.8)
Milder winters — January highs near 59°F vs 48°F
4% cheaper overall cost of living than Richmond
Cons
Violent crime (720.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Richmond by $8,593/yr
Property crime (4873.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (7.5% vs 6.1%)
Richmond, VA
Pros
53% less violent crime than Las Cruces
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.4 pts lower (6.1%)
Households earn $8,593 more per year on average
More college-educated — 44.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 90°F vs 96°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $308,300
Property crime (3179.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Cost of living runs 4% higher than Las Cruces
Key Differences at a Glance
Las Cruces
Cost of Living
4% cheaper
COL index 93.8 vs 98.0 (100 = US avg)
Las Cruces
Median Home Value
$111k less
$197,200 vs $308,300
Las Cruces
Summer Heat
6.1°F warmer
July avg high 95.6°F vs 89.5°F
Richmond
Median Income
$8,593
$59,606 vs $51,013/yr
Richmond
Violent Crime
53% lower
336.9 vs 720.0 per 100k
Richmond
Unemployment
1.4 pp lower
6.1% vs 7.5% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Richmond, VA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 93.8 ✓ Cheaper | 98.0 |
| Median Home Value | $197,200 ✓ Lower | $308,300⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $907 ✓ Lower | $1,227 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $51,013 | $59,606 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.5%⚠ High | 6.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.0 min ✓ Shorter | 22.0 min |
| Work From Home % | 7.7% | 14.3% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 207⚠ High | 114⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 189⚠ High | 89 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 232⚠ High | 151⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (113) ✓ Better | B+ (107) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 11.2:1 ✓ Smaller | 11.9:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 36.3% | 44.1% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 87.7% | 88.8% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | LAS CRUCES | Richmond City Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 58.9°F ✓ Warmer | 47.8°F |
| Avg High — July | 95.6°F ✓ Warmer | 89.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 11.0" ✓ Drier | 47.1" |
| Annual Snowfall | 1.0" ✓ Less | 8.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 111,273 | 227,171 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 34.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% ✓ Higher | 43.2% |
| Under 18 | 23.0% ✓ More | 17.1% |
| Over 65 | 15.3% ✓ More | 13.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Las Cruces's cost of living index is 93.8 vs Richmond's 98.0 (US average = 100).
Las Cruces is 4% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Las Cruces leads 13 of 23 categories. Las Cruces wins 13 and Richmond wins 10. 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 Richmond or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($197,200 vs $308,300 median home), income ($51,013 vs $59,606), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Las Cruces, NM and Richmond, VA are about 1,692 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.