Signals
Las Cruces
Searcy
Growth
63 · Top 29%
vs62 · Top 31%
Climate
66 · Bottom 49%
vs64 · Bottom 44%
Physical resilience
22 · Bottom 11%
vs29 · Bottom 18%
Housing affordability
86 · Bottom 28%
vs99 · Top 32%
Access
82 · Top 38%
vs72 · Bottom 42%
Economic stability
35 · Bottom 26%
vs29 · Bottom 19%
Measured values
| Metric | Las Cruces | Searcy | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 224,266 | 77,838 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $56,848 | $55,249 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $29,907 | $28,808 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 59/sq mi | 75/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $220,800 | $163,600 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $934 | $850 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 65.5% | 69.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.7% | 20.4% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 21.3% | 17.5% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 782 | 248 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 3.5 | 3.2 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -12.6% | 4.2% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 94°F | 93°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 24°F | 30°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 10.3" | 51.8" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 33 mi | 45 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 24.2 min | 24.1 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 34.3 | 38.8 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Las Cruces
Elevated or high exposure: drought, inland flooding.
Searcy
Elevated or high exposure: ice storm, inland flooding.
Your best match
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Las Cruces
57
Your Score
53
Area Score
Searcy
59
Your Score
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Area Score
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Full profiles: Las Cruces, NM Metro Area · Searcy, AR Micro Area · How this is calculated: methodology