The Las Cruces metro is home to 221,665 people (up 2.9% over five years), with a median household income of $55,663. Typical rent of $1,472/month works out to 31.7% of the median household income — near the 30% affordability threshold (Census ACS + Zillow, September 2026).
The share of Las Cruces's workforce by sector — the base of tenant demand:
| Sector | % of workforce |
|---|---|
| Education & health care | 28.8% |
| Retail trade | 10.5% |
| Professional & management | 10.3% |
| Arts, food & hospitality | 9.2% |
| Construction | 8.5% |
Education & health care is the metro's largest employment base — sectors like education and health care are recession-resilient anchors for rental demand.
Rents at 31.7% of median income leave moderate headroom; underwrite rent growth conservatively. Market pricing, yields and the Star Score live on the Las Cruces market page; run a deal in the calculator.
At the 30%-of-income affordability rule, typical rent of $1,472/month suggests a household income around $59,000/year. The metro's median household income is $55,663.
By workforce share: Education & health care (28.8%), Retail trade (10.5%), Professional & management (10.3%) (Census ACS 5-year).