Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Las Cruces?

Las Cruces, NM is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 47% below Atlanta, GA's $1,780, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $32,000 in Las Cruces.

Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Las Cruces?

Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% 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).

Atlanta vs Las Cruces Cost of Living 2026

Atlanta

Georgia

$1,780/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 $1,780 in Atlanta, GA versus $940 in Las Cruces, NM. Overall, Las Cruces, NM is roughly 47% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Atlanta, GA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,938 in Atlanta, GA and $55,176 in Las Cruces, NM — about 33% higher in Atlanta, GA. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; New Mexico has a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax.

Atlanta, GA

Las Cruces, NM

Rent

Studio

$1,669

$597

+64% in Atlanta, GA

1 Bedroom

$1,576

$793

+50% in Atlanta, GA

2 Bedroom

$1,701

$888

+48% in Atlanta, GA

3 Bedroom

$1,557

$1,177

+24% in Atlanta, GA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$420,600

$217,400

+48% in Atlanta, GA

Income

Median Household Income

$81,938

$55,176

+33% in Atlanta, GA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,170

$42,070

+18% in Atlanta, GA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.0 yr

32.7 yr

+1.3 yr in Atlanta, GA

Homeownership

46.3%

55.6%

+9.3 pp in Las Cruces, NM

Bachelor's+ (25+)

58.4%

37.3%

+21.1 pp in Atlanta, GA

Avg Commute

26.8 min

18.7 min

+8.1 min in Atlanta, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

603.7

726

+20% in Las Cruces, NM

Property Crime

3,548.3

4,899.2

+38% 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

62.6°F

58.8°F

+3.8°F in Atlanta, GA

Annual Precipitation

49.7 in

—

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.62/gal

+6% in Atlanta, GA

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.50

—

Adult base one-way fare — MARTA vs — (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.8

14.1

+11% in Atlanta, GA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$33.28

$11.90

+64% in Atlanta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Las Cruces, NM

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Las Cruces, NM

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Atlanta, GA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Las Cruces, NM

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Las Cruces, NM

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Las Cruces, NM

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / NM)

4.875%

+0.9 pp in NM

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

5.90%

+0.7 pp in NM

Atlanta vs Las Cruces — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Las Cruces?: Las Cruces, NM is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 47% below Atlanta, GA's $1,780, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Atlanta than in Las Cruces?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $32,000 in Las Cruces.
Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Las Cruces?: Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% 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).