Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Las Cruces?

Las Cruces, NM is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 37% below Chicago, IL's $1,490, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Chicago versus $32,000 in Las Cruces.

Which has lower taxes, Chicago or Las Cruces?

Chicago is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% 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).

Chicago vs Las Cruces Cost of Living 2026

Chicago

Illinois

$1,490/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 $1,490 in Chicago, IL versus $940 in Las Cruces, NM. Overall, Las Cruces, NM is roughly 37% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $55,176 in Las Cruces, NM — about 27% higher in Chicago, IL. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; New Mexico has a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax.

Chicago, IL

Las Cruces, NM

Rent

Studio

$1,186

$597

+50% in Chicago, IL

1 Bedroom

$1,258

$793

+37% in Chicago, IL

2 Bedroom

$1,406

$888

+37% in Chicago, IL

3 Bedroom

$1,554

$1,177

+24% in Chicago, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$315,200

$217,400

+31% in Chicago, IL

Income

Median Household Income

$75,134

$55,176

+27% in Chicago, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$42,070

+23% in Chicago, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.7 yr

32.7 yr

+3.0 yr in Chicago, IL

Homeownership

45.5%

55.6%

+10.1 pp in Las Cruces, NM

Bachelor's+ (25+)

43.3%

37.3%

+6.0 pp in Chicago, IL

Avg Commute

33.5 min

18.7 min

+14.8 min in Chicago, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

539.8

726

+34% in Las Cruces, NM

Property Crime

3,489.9

4,899.2

+40% 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

52.7°F

58.8°F

+6.1°F in Las Cruces, NM

Annual Precipitation

38.0 in

—

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.29/gal

$3.62/gal

+16% in Chicago, IL

Area: Chicago vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.50

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

23.9

14.1

+41% in Chicago, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.39

$11.90

+23% in Chicago, IL

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Las Cruces, NM

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Las Cruces, NM

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Chicago, IL

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Las Cruces, NM

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Chicago, IL

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Las Cruces, NM

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IL / NM)

6.25%

4.875%

+1.4 pp in IL

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

5.90%

+1.0 pp in NM

Chicago vs Las Cruces — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Las Cruces?: Las Cruces, NM is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 37% below Chicago, IL's $1,490, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Chicago than in Las Cruces?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Chicago versus $32,000 in Las Cruces.
Which has lower taxes, Chicago or Las Cruces?: Chicago is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% 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).