AARP's 2006 -"Dream Towns" to retire-Las Cruces topped AARP's first list of great places to retire based on factors such as: the cheapest states to live in as a retiree (based on income, property, and sales taxes), weather, recreational opportunities, and livability (access to health care and transportation).

Money Magazine November 2005-One of the Best College Towns to Retire for the second time in four years, Las Cruces made one of Money's lists of best places to retire; this time as a college town. The article cited several factors, including Las Cruces great weather, amazing views, cultural scene and low cost of living.

Top 50 Motorcoach Destinations in the United States - National Bus Association, 2004 and 2005. Motorcoach charter and tour operators were given a list of cities and asked to rank them according to where they think they will be traveling to or through in 2005.

Forbes/Milken Institute, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 - Best Small Metro Area for Business and Careers. Las Cruces has ranked in the top 5 for the last several years on Forbes' list of "Best Small Metro Area for Business and Careers," including a #1 ranking in 2002 and #2 ranking in 2005. The rankings were based on "job growth, earned income, and a measure of activity in critical technologies that foster future growth".

Family Digest, Fall 2002 - Best Place to Live
Las Cruces ranked the highest among 300 cities/destinations evaluated in a number of areas determined to be important to families, including: crime rate, housing costs, income, pre-college education productivity, family friendliness, weather, and affordability.

Money Magazine, June 2002 - One of the Best Places to Retire
The article cited several factors, including Las Cruces' great weather, amazing views, cultural scene, low cost of living and the country's best Mexican food and, according to the article, possibly the hottest chill in the U.S.A. The article indicated Las Cruces' warm climate and mild winters were perfect for year-round activities such as tennis, hiking, golf, and visiting attractions like the dunes of nearby White Sands National Monument.

Facilities and Destinations Magazine, 2001, 2002 and 2004 - Top Destination Las Cruces was among 75 cities in the United States selected by the magazine's readers to receive the annual award recognizing cities for their ability to accommodate groups and conventions.

Where to Retire Magazine, Fall 2001- One of America's Top 100 Retirement Towns Las Cruces received praise for its diverse culture, high desert climate, low cost of living, open spaces, and year-round outdoor activities. It was also one of the few towns selected that ranked below the national cost of living average, and had an average new home price under $100,000. Each city considered was assessed on a variety of categories ranging from the availability of medical care, recreational activities, continuing education, and airports, to shopping, dining, and cultural and social organizations.