Is it cheaper to live in Frederick or Las Cruces?

Las Cruces, NM is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 43% below Frederick, MD's $1,640, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $57,000 a year in Frederick versus $32,000 in Las Cruces.

Which has lower taxes, Frederick or Las Cruces?

Frederick is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% 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).

Frederick vs Las Cruces Cost of Living 2026

Frederick

Maryland

$1,640/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 $1,640 in Frederick, MD versus $940 in Las Cruces, NM. Overall, Las Cruces, NM is roughly 43% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Frederick, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $95,150 in Frederick, MD and $55,176 in Las Cruces, NM — about 42% higher in Frederick, MD. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% 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.

Frederick, MD

Las Cruces, NM

Rent

Studio

$1,658

$597

+64% in Frederick, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,418

$793

+44% in Frederick, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,661

$888

+47% in Frederick, MD

3 Bedroom

$1,863

$1,177

+37% in Frederick, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$365,200

$217,400

+40% in Frederick, MD

Income

Median Household Income

$95,150

$55,176

+42% in Frederick, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$71,060

$42,070

+41% in Frederick, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

37.1 yr

32.7 yr

+4.4 yr in Frederick, MD

Homeownership

59.2%

55.6%

+3.6 pp in Frederick, MD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.8%

37.3%

+4.5 pp in Frederick, MD

Avg Commute

30.1 min

18.7 min

+11.4 min in Frederick, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

406

726

+79% in Las Cruces, NM

Property Crime

1,696.3

4,899.2

+189% 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

52.1°F

58.8°F

+6.7°F in Las Cruces, NM

Annual Precipitation

—

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.62/gal

+6% in Frederick, MD

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

14.1

+35% in Frederick, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.94

$11.90

+37% in Frederick, MD

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 Frederick, MD

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 (MD / NM)

4.875%

+1.1 pp in MD

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

5.90%

+0.6 pp in MD

Frederick vs Las Cruces — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Frederick or Las Cruces?: Las Cruces, NM is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 43% below Frederick, MD's $1,640, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Frederick than in Las Cruces?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $57,000 a year in Frederick versus $32,000 in Las Cruces.
Which has lower taxes, Frederick or Las Cruces?: Frederick is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% 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).