Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Las Cruces, NM
VS
Worcester, MA
🏆 Las Cruces leads 15 of 21 categories
Las Cruces
New Mexico
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$51,013
Violent Crime Index
189⚠ High
Population
111,273
Worcester
Massachusetts
6
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$63,011 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
4 ✓ Safer
Population
204,191 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Las Cruces, NM
Pros
Homes cost $108k less ($197,200 vs $305,600)
Rent averages $405/mo less ($907 vs $1,312)
Milder winters — January highs near 59°F vs 32°F
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
10% cheaper overall cost of living than Worcester
Living costs sit below the national average (index 93.8)
Cons
Violent crime (720.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Worcester by $11,998/yr
Property crime (4873.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (7.5% vs 6.6%)
Worcester, MA
Pros
98% less violent crime than Las Cruces
Households earn $11,998 more per year on average
Violent crime is well below the national average (16.5 vs 380/100k)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.9 pts lower (6.6%)
Cooler summers — July highs near 80°F vs 96°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $305,600
Cost of living runs 10% higher than Las Cruces
Snowy winters — about 73" of snow per year
Key Differences at a Glance
Las Cruces
Cost of Living
10% cheaper
COL index 93.8 vs 103.8 (100 = US avg)
Las Cruces
Median Home Value
$108k less
$197,200 vs $305,600
Las Cruces
Summer Heat
15.8°F warmer
July avg high 95.6°F vs 79.8°F
Worcester
Median Income
$11,998
$63,011 vs $51,013/yr
Worcester
Violent Crime
98% lower
16.5 vs 720.0 per 100k
Worcester
Unemployment
0.9 pp lower
6.6% vs 7.5% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Las Cruces, NM | Worcester, MA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 93.8 ✓ Cheaper | 103.8⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $197,200 ✓ Lower | $305,600⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $907 ✓ Lower | $1,312 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $51,013 | $63,011 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.5%⚠ High | 6.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.0 min ✓ Shorter | 24.4 min |
| Work From Home % | 7.7% | 9.9% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 207⚠ High | — |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 189⚠ High | 4 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 232⚠ High | — |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (113) ✓ Better | B+ (106) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 11.2:1 ✓ Smaller | 13.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 36.3% ✓ Higher | 33.1% |
| High School or Higher | 87.7% ✓ Higher | 85.9% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | LAS CRUCES | Worcester |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 58.9°F ✓ Warmer | 32.3°F |
| Avg High — July | 95.6°F ✓ Warmer | 79.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 11.0" ✓ Drier | 48.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 1.0" ✓ Less | 72.9" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 111,273 | 204,191 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 34.3 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% ✓ Higher | 42.1% |
| Under 18 | 23.0% ✓ More | 19.5% |
| Over 65 | 15.3% ✓ More | 13.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Las Cruces's cost of living index is 93.8 vs Worcester's 103.8 (US average = 100).
Las Cruces is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 21 decided categories above, Las Cruces leads 15 of 21 categories. Las Cruces wins 15 and Worcester wins 6. 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 Worcester or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($197,200 vs $305,600 median home), income ($51,013 vs $63,011), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Las Cruces, NM and Worcester, MA are about 2,025 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.