Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Las Cruces, NM
VS
Westminster, CO
🏆 Las Cruces leads 12 of 23 categories
Las Cruces
New Mexico
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$51,013
Violent Crime Index
189⚠ High
Population
111,273
Westminster
Colorado
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$90,651 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
80 ✓ Safer
Population
115,502 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Las Cruces, NM
Pros
Homes cost $270k less ($197,200 vs $467,200)
Rent averages $825/mo less ($907 vs $1,732)
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
12% cheaper overall cost of living than Westminster
Living costs sit below the national average (index 93.8)
Milder winters — January highs near 59°F vs 48°F
Cons
Median income trails Westminster by $39,638/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 4.1%)
Westminster, CO
Pros
Households earn $39,638 more per year on average
58% less violent crime than Las Cruces
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.4 pts lower (4.1%)
More college-educated — 42.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $467,200
Higher rents — median is $1,732/mo
Property crime (3540.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Cost of living runs 12% higher than Las Cruces
Key Differences at a Glance
Las Cruces
Cost of Living
12% cheaper
COL index 93.8 vs 105.5 (100 = US avg)
Las Cruces
Median Home Value
$270k less
$197,200 vs $467,200
Las Cruces
Summer Heat
4.5°F warmer
July avg high 95.6°F vs 91.1°F
Westminster
Median Income
$39,638
$90,651 vs $51,013/yr
Westminster
Violent Crime
58% lower
303.6 vs 720.0 per 100k
Westminster
Unemployment
3.4 pp lower
4.1% vs 7.5% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Westminster, CO |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 93.8 ✓ Cheaper | 105.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $197,200 ✓ Lower | $467,200⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $907 ✓ Lower | $1,732⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $51,013 | $90,651 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.5%⚠ High | 4.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.0 min ✓ Shorter | 26.5 min |
| Work From Home % | 7.7% | 15.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 207⚠ High | 115⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 189⚠ High | 80 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 232⚠ High | 169⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (113) ✓ Better | B- (95) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 11.2:1 ✓ Smaller | 18.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 36.3% | 42.2% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 87.7% | 92.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | LAS CRUCES | Westminster Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 58.9°F ✓ Warmer | 48.0°F |
| Avg High — July | 95.6°F ✓ Warmer | 91.1°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 11.0" ✓ Drier | 17.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 1.0" ✓ Less | 54.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 111,273 | 115,502 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 37.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 63.8% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 23.0% ✓ More | 19.6% |
| Over 65 | 15.3% ✓ More | 14.4% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Las Cruces's cost of living index is 93.8 vs Westminster's 105.5 (US average = 100).
Las Cruces is 12% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Las Cruces leads 12 of 23 categories. Las Cruces wins 12 and Westminster wins 11. 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 Westminster or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($197,200 vs $467,200 median home), income ($51,013 vs $90,651), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Las Cruces, NM and Westminster, CO are about 531 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.