Cost of Living in Las Cruces, NM
Population 112,612 · New Mexico
The cost of living in Las Cruces, NM is driven mostly by housing. A one-bedroom apartment rents for around $793 a month — 27% lower than the $1,080 median across the 112 large US cities we track. Studios average $597 and two-bedrooms $888.
Median household income here is $55,176, 21% lower than the $69,423 median of the cities we track. Adding typical electricity and heating to one-bedroom rent, a rough monthly baseline for one person is about $940 before food and transport. New Mexico has a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax.
Rent1BR $793
Buying a Home$217,400
Income$55,176
Household income: Census ACS, city. Metro median wage: BLS OEWS, all occupations, 2025 (metro area).
GroceriesWest
Average prices, West (BLS, 2026-07-01). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.
Utilities14.1¢/kWh
Residential, state-level averages (EIA, 2026-05-01). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.
Gas$3.62/gal
EIA weekly retail average, week of 2026-08-17.
State Taxes (NM)4.875% sales
State-level rates. Local sales taxes may add more. Income tax shown is the top marginal rate; most filers pay less.
Crime726 violent
FBI Crime Data Explorer, Las Cruces Police Department (2024). Offenses per 100,000 residents per year. Agency reporting practices vary, so cross-city comparisons are approximate.
People & LifestyleAge 32.7 yrs
Climate58.8°F
Las Cruces cost of living — FAQ
- Is Las Cruces expensive to live in?
- Las Cruces is among the more affordable of the 112 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $793 per month ranks #104 of 112 and is 27% lower than the $1,080 median.
- What is the average rent in Las Cruces?
- Average rent in Las Cruces, NM runs a studio around $597, a one-bedroom around $793, a two-bedroom around $888, a three-bedroom around $1,177 per month (US Census ACS).
- How much do you need to earn to live in Las Cruces?
- To keep a one-bedroom rent of $793 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year. The median household income here is $55,176.
- How much does it cost to live in Las Cruces per month?
- A rough monthly baseline for one person in Las Cruces is about $940 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.
Compare Las Cruces with nearby cities
Nearby cities
Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981-2010 (climate); EIA (gas, utilities); BLS Average Price Data (groceries) & OEWS (metro wage); transit agencies (fares); FBI Crime Data Explorer (crime); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes). Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + utilities; not a full cost of living.