Metro area air quality · 2024
Las Cruces, NM
Median AQI 62 (Moderate). 26.5% of monitored days rated Good across this metro's EPA monitoring network.
- 62
- Median AQI
- 26.5%
- Good-air days
- 13
- Unhealthy days
- 3%
- Cleaner than US metros
Aggregated from EPA Air Quality System (2024), 366 monitored days. EPA AQS →
The verdict
The Las Cruces, NM metro runs moderate on the EPA scale — a median AQI of 62 with 26.5% of 366 monitored days in the Good band.
- 62
- median AQI · Moderate
- 26.5%
- days rated Good
- 3%
- cleaner than US metros
- 692
- worst single reading
13 days reached Unhealthy or worse across the metro's monitors in 2024.
Insights: Las Cruces, NM metro. Aggregated EPA AQS monitors across this Core-Based Statistical Area logged a median Air Quality Index of 62 over 366 measured days in 2024, which corresponds to a Moderate band and a Poor metro-wide health grade. The monitored-day split lands at 97 Good days (27%), 237 Moderate (65%), and 19 Unhealthy-for-Sensitive-Groups (5%). The 90th-percentile AQI finished at 97 while the highest single-day reading hit 692 (Hazardous). Metro residents averaged roughly 8.0 clean-air days per 30-day window across the reporting year.
Across the 2020–2024 trend window, good days shifted by -47 and the median AQI moved +8 points, which classifies the multi-year trajectory as worsening. The metro recorded 13 unhealthy-or-worse days combined, on those days the EPA recommends that sensitive groups limit prolonged outdoor exertion, and many schools and athletic programs adjust outdoor activity accordingly. Metros with comparable AQI profiles include Albuquerque, NM (27.3% good, AQI 61); Bishop, CA (24.6% good, AQI 61); Brownsville-Harlingen, TX (27.1% good, AQI 61).
Air Quality Summary
Median AQI
62
Moderate
Good Days
26.5%
97 of 366 days
Max AQI
692
Hazardous
Health Grade
Poor
90th pct: 97
AQI Day Breakdown (2024)
Distribution of 366 monitored days across EPA AQI categories.
Good
97
27%
Moderate
237
65%
USG
19
5%
Unhealthy
6
2%
Very Unhealthy
3
1%
Hazardous
4
1%
Health Impact Assessment
The Las Cruces, NM metro area's air quality is rated Poor based on 26.5% good air days. There were 13 unhealthy days in 2024 when outdoor activity should be limited.
Air quality posed significant health risk in 2024. Sensitive groups, including people with asthma, COPD, cardiovascular conditions, children, pregnant women, and adults over 65, should monitor AirNow.gov alerts and limit outdoor activity on Unhealthy (AQI 151+) and Very Unhealthy (201+) days. Peak readings reached AQI 692, beyond EPA's standard 0-500 scale, indicating an extreme event.
Sensitive group advisory
People with asthma, COPD, heart disease, children, pregnant women, and adults 65+ should follow EPA AQI alerts daily and limit outdoor exertion when AQI exceeds 100. Real-time conditions: airnow.gov.
Note: EPA's standard AQI scale caps at 500. The 692 peak reading represents an extreme event extrapolated beyond the index's design range. See EPA wildfire smoke guidance.
How does the Las Cruces, NM metro compare?
How Las Cruces, NM compares
5-Year Air Quality Trend
Air quality is worsening in the Las Cruces, NM metro. Best year: 2023 (162 good days).
| Year | Good | Moderate | Unhealthy | Median AQI | Max AQI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 144 | 201 | 3 | 54 | 389 |
| 2021 | 126 | 208 | 8 | 56 | 683 |
| 2022 | 157 | 179 | 1 | 53 | 367 |
| 2023 | 162 | 189 | 3 | 52 | 196 |
| 2024 | 97 | 237 | 6 | 62 | 692 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the air quality in the Las Cruces, NM metro area? ▼
How many unhealthy air days does Las Cruces, NM have? ▼
Is air quality in Las Cruces, NM getting better or worse? ▼
What does AQI 62 mean for health? ▼
What is the 90th percentile AQI for Las Cruces, NM? ▼
How does Las Cruces, NM compare to other metro areas? ▼
Data Sources
Primary Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Air Quality System (AQS), Annual AQI by CBSA dataset, 2020–2024. The AQS collects ambient air monitoring data from state, local, and tribal monitoring agencies across the United States.
Metrics: Air Quality Index (AQI) is calculated using EPA-standard breakpoints for six criteria pollutants: PM2.5, PM10, Ozone, NO2, CO, and SO2. Median AQI, max AQI, and 90th percentile AQI are computed from daily measurements. Good days percentage reflects days with AQI 0–50.
Coverage: 501 metro areas (Core Based Statistical Areas). Only metros with active monitoring stations are included. Unmonitored areas are not represented.
Read our methodology , how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Source: U.S. EPA Air Quality System (AQS) Annual AQI by CBSA summary files (metro-level) · 2020–2024