Performance
Score Breakdown
Centennial
Las Cruces
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Las Cruces is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
4% higher compared to Centennial.
Housing costs are a major driver: Centennial's average rent is
93% higher than Las Cruces's.
| Metric | Centennial | Las Cruces | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,063 | $1,068 | +93% |
| Groceries | $0 | $450 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $198 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $120 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $150 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $2,063 | $1,986 | +4% |
| Cost Index | 91 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Centennial offers 217% higher average salaries.
| Metric | Centennial | Las Cruces |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $167,169 | $52,790 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $64,000 |
| Household Income | $131,928 | $55,422 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Centennial | Las Cruces |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 51.00% | 4.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Las Cruces has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Centennial.
Las Cruces scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Las Cruces leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Centennial | Las Cruces |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 34.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Las Cruces is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Centennial.
From a growth perspective, Las Cruces is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Centennial has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Centennial | Las Cruces |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,178 | 116,998 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.48% | 0.99% |
| Median Age | 42.0 | 33.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.50% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Centennial
Advantages
Centennial has a very low crime rate, 50% below the national average, making it one of the safest major U.S. cities.
The city boasts a high quality of life, ranked #1 in Colorado by U.S. News & World Report in 2025–2026.
Centennial has a strong job market and a high median household income of $131,928 as of 2024.
The public schools in Centennial are highly rated.
Residents benefit from a shorter average commute time (25.9 minutes) compared to the national average.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Centennial is higher than the national average, particularly for housing.
Average rent in Centennial is higher than the national average.
While public transit exists, the city still exhibits a medium car dependency.
The overall crime grade, while still good, is slightly higher than the average US city according to one source.
Some areas of Centennial have higher violent crime rates than others, particularly the northeast.
Las Cruces
Advantages
The cost of living in Las Cruces is significantly lower than the national average, particularly for housing and utilities. [9, 10, 35, 39]
Las Cruces offers a pleasant climate with abundant sunshine, ideal for outdoor activities year-round. [4, 8, 12 in previous search, 28 in previous search]
The city has a thriving job market with consistent growth in key sectors like healthcare, education, and government. [4, 5, 7, 13, 17, 40]
Las Cruces was ranked 9th among small cities for overall economic growth in a 2025 study, indicating strong economic momentum. [29, 41]
The community is known for its friendly, welcoming atmosphere and rich cultural heritage. [8, 24 in previous search, 30 in previous search]
Drawbacks
Las Cruces has a high crime rate, with violent crime reported to be 68% higher and property crime 153% higher than the national average in 2024. [20]
The city is largely car-dependent, with limited public transit options and a low walkability score. [10, 11, 22]
Some residents report challenges with the quality and access to medical specialists and addiction treatment services. [8, 44 in previous search, 45 in previous search]
Average hourly earnings in Las Cruces are lower than the national average. [41 in previous search, 17]
Traffic congestion can lead to annual delays for drivers. [43 in previous search]
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Centennial
#21Colorado, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,063
Avg Salary
$167,169
Cost Index
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.48%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
80
Business
0
Las Cruces
#21New Mexico, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,068
Avg Salary
$52,790
Cost Index
91
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
34.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.99%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
78
Business
70
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