Is it cheaper to live in Detroit or Las Cruces?

Las Cruces, NM is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 3% below Detroit, MI's $970, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Detroit or Las Cruces?

Detroit is taxed under Michigan's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.25% 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).

Detroit vs Las Cruces Cost of Living 2026

Detroit

Michigan

$970/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 $970 in Detroit, MI versus $940 in Las Cruces, NM. Overall, Las Cruces, NM is roughly 3% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Detroit, MI, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $39,575 in Detroit, MI and $55,176 in Las Cruces, NM — about 28% higher in Las Cruces, NM. Michigan has a top state income tax rate of 4.25% 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.

Detroit, MI

Las Cruces, NM

Rent

Studio

$801

$597

+25% in Detroit, MI

1 Bedroom

$752

$793

+5% in Las Cruces, NM

2 Bedroom

$1,001

$888

+11% in Detroit, MI

3 Bedroom

$1,195

$1,177

+2% in Detroit, MI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$76,800

$217,400

+183% in Las Cruces, NM

Income

Median Household Income

$39,575

$55,176

+39% in Las Cruces, NM

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$52,080

$42,070

+19% in Detroit, MI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.1 yr

32.7 yr

+2.4 yr in Detroit, MI

Homeownership

49.7%

55.6%

+5.9 pp in Las Cruces, NM

Bachelor's+ (25+)

17.6%

37.3%

+19.7 pp in Las Cruces, NM

Avg Commute

25.4 min

18.7 min

+6.7 min in Detroit, MI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,783.4

726

+59% in Detroit, MI

Property Crime

4,391.6

4,899.2

+12% 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

50.3°F

58.8°F

+8.5°F in Las Cruces, NM

Annual Precipitation

31.3 in

—

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.62/gal

+8% in Detroit, MI

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

22.0

14.1

+36% in Detroit, MI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$14.07

$11.90

+15% in Detroit, MI

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 Detroit, MI

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Las Cruces, NM

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Detroit, MI

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 (MI / NM)

4.875%

+1.1 pp in MI

Income Tax (top rate)

4.25%

5.90%

+1.7 pp in NM

Detroit vs Las Cruces — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Detroit or Las Cruces?: Las Cruces, NM is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 3% below Detroit, MI's $970, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Detroit than in Las Cruces?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $30,000 a year in Detroit versus $32,000 in Las Cruces.
Which has lower taxes, Detroit or Las Cruces?: Detroit is taxed under Michigan's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.25% 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).