Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Las Cruces?

Las Cruces, NM is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 28% below Aurora, CO's $1,300, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $46,000 a year in Aurora versus $32,000 in Las Cruces.

Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Las Cruces?

Aurora is taxed under Colorado's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% 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).

Aurora vs Las Cruces Cost of Living 2026

Aurora

Colorado

$1,300/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 $1,300 in Aurora, CO versus $940 in Las Cruces, NM. Overall, Las Cruces, NM is roughly 28% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Aurora, CO, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $85,364 in Aurora, CO and $55,176 in Las Cruces, NM — about 35% higher in Aurora, CO. Colorado has a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax; New Mexico has a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax.

Aurora, CO

Las Cruces, NM

Rent

Studio

—

$597

1 Bedroom

$1,138

$793

+30% in Aurora, CO

2 Bedroom

$2,284

$888

+61% in Aurora, CO

3 Bedroom

$2,320

$1,177

+49% in Aurora, CO

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$689,000

$217,400

+68% in Aurora, CO

Income

Median Household Income

$85,364

$55,176

+35% in Aurora, CO

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$62,320

$42,070

+32% in Aurora, CO

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.3 yr

32.7 yr

+2.6 yr in Aurora, CO

Homeownership

46.0%

55.6%

+9.6 pp in Las Cruces, NM

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.4%

37.3%

+4.1 pp in Aurora, CO

Avg Commute

18.7 min

about equal

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

952.9

726

+24% in Aurora, CO

Property Crime

3,368.1

4,899.2

+45% 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

50.2°F

58.8°F

+8.6°F in Las Cruces, NM

Annual Precipitation

15.6 in

—

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.25/gal

$3.62/gal

+15% in Aurora, CO

Area: Colorado vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.75

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.2

14.1

+13% in Aurora, CO

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.92

$11.90

+0% in Aurora, CO

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

about equal

Bread (lb)

$2.04

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (CO / NM)

2.9%

4.875%

+2.0 pp in NM

Income Tax (top rate)

4.40%

5.90%

+1.5 pp in NM

Aurora vs Las Cruces — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Las Cruces?: Las Cruces, NM is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 28% below Aurora, CO's $1,300, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Aurora than in Las Cruces?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $46,000 a year in Aurora versus $32,000 in Las Cruces.
Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Las Cruces?: Aurora is taxed under Colorado's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% 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).