Living Cost Compare
Grand Rapids

Michigan

$1,200/mo est.

vs
Las Cruces

New Mexico

$940/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,200 in Grand Rapids, MI versus $940 in Las Cruces, NM. Overall, Las Cruces, NM is roughly 22% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Grand Rapids, MI, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $65,526 in Grand Rapids, MI and $55,176 in Las Cruces, NM — about 16% higher in Grand Rapids, MI. 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.

Grand Rapids, MI
Las Cruces, NM

Rent

Studio
$992
$597
+40% in Grand Rapids, MI
1 Bedroom
$964
$793
+18% in Grand Rapids, MI
2 Bedroom
$1,206
$888
+26% in Grand Rapids, MI
3 Bedroom
$1,421
$1,177
+17% in Grand Rapids, MI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$225,500
$217,400
+4% in Grand Rapids, MI

Income

Median Household Income
$65,526
$55,176
+16% in Grand Rapids, MI
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$47,570
$42,070
+12% in Grand Rapids, MI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
32.1 yr
32.7 yr
+0.6 yr in Las Cruces, NM
Homeownership
54.6%
55.6%
+1.0 pp in Las Cruces, NM
Bachelor's+ (25+)
40.1%
37.3%
+2.8 pp in Grand Rapids, MI
Avg Commute
19.4 min
18.7 min
+0.7 min in Grand Rapids, MI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
910.1
726
+20% in Grand Rapids, MI
Property Crime
2,506.2
4,899.2
+95% 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
49.1°F
58.8°F
+9.7°F in Las Cruces, NM
Annual Precipitation
38.3 in
—

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.85/gal
$3.62/gal
+6% in Grand Rapids, MI

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
23.0
15.1
+34% in Grand Rapids, MI
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$19.72
$9.31
+53% in Grand Rapids, 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 Grand Rapids, MI
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.77
$7.36
+9% in Las Cruces, NM
Chicken (lb)
$2.10
$2.01
+4% in Grand Rapids, 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)
6%
4.875%
+1.1 pp in MI
Income Tax (top rate)
4.25%
5.90%
+1.7 pp in NM

Grand Rapids vs Las Cruces — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Grand Rapids or Las Cruces?
Las Cruces, NM is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 22% below Grand Rapids, MI's $1,200, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Grand Rapids than in Las Cruces?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Grand Rapids versus $32,000 in Las Cruces.
Which has lower taxes, Grand Rapids or Las Cruces?
Grand Rapids 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).