Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Las Cruces?

Las Cruces, NM is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 29% below Allentown, PA's $1,320, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Allentown than in Las Cruces?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $32,000 in Las Cruces.

Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Las Cruces?

Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Las Cruces under New Mexico's (a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax).

Allentown vs Las Cruces Cost of Living 2026

Allentown

Pennsylvania

$1,320/mo est.

Las Cruces

New Mexico

$940/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,320 in Allentown, PA versus $940 in Las Cruces, NM. Overall, Las Cruces, NM is roughly 29% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Allentown, PA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,403 in Allentown, PA and $55,176 in Las Cruces, NM — about 3% higher in Las Cruces, NM. Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax; New Mexico has a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax.

Allentown, PA

Las Cruces, NM

Rent

Studio

$1,043

$597

+43% in Allentown, PA

1 Bedroom

$1,100

$793

+28% in Allentown, PA

2 Bedroom

$1,271

$888

+30% in Allentown, PA

3 Bedroom

$1,431

$1,177

+18% in Allentown, PA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$188,900

$217,400

+15% in Las Cruces, NM

Income

Median Household Income

$53,403

$55,176

+3% in Las Cruces, NM

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,990

$42,070

+14% in Allentown, PA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.4 yr

32.7 yr

+0.3 yr in Las Cruces, NM

Homeownership

42.3%

55.6%

+13.3 pp in Las Cruces, NM

Bachelor's+ (25+)

19.4%

37.3%

+17.9 pp in Las Cruces, NM

Avg Commute

24.8 min

18.7 min

+6.1 min in Allentown, PA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

274.5

726

+164% in Las Cruces, NM

Property Crime

1,591.5

4,899.2

+208% in Las Cruces, NM

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

51.2°F

58.8°F

+7.6°F in Las Cruces, NM

Annual Precipitation

45.4 in

—

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.62/gal

+6% in Allentown, PA

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.6

14.1

+34% in Allentown, PA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.17

$11.90

+38% in Allentown, PA

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Las Cruces, NM

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$2.04

+6% in Las Cruces, NM

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$7.36

+7% in Las Cruces, NM

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$2.01

+8% in Allentown, PA

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.70

about equal

Average prices — Northeast vs West (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (PA / NM)

4.875%

+1.1 pp in PA

Income Tax (top rate)

3.07%

5.90%

+2.8 pp in NM

Allentown vs Las Cruces — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Las Cruces?: Las Cruces, NM is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 29% below Allentown, PA's $1,320, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Allentown than in Las Cruces?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $32,000 in Las Cruces.
Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Las Cruces?: Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Las Cruces under New Mexico's (a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).