Is it cheaper to live in Huntington or Las Cruces?

They're close. Huntington, WV runs about $940 a month and Las Cruces, NM about $940 (1BR rent + utilities) — within a few percent of each other.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Huntington 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 Huntington versus $32,000 in Las Cruces.

Which has lower taxes, Huntington or Las Cruces?

Huntington is taxed under West Virginia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.82% 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).

Huntington vs Las Cruces Cost of Living 2026

Huntington

West Virginia

$940/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 $940 in Huntington, WV versus $940 in Las Cruces, NM. The two are close overall, within a few percent of each other.

Median household income is $43,146 in Huntington, WV and $55,176 in Las Cruces, NM — about 22% higher in Las Cruces, NM. West Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 4.82% 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.

Huntington, WV

Las Cruces, NM

Rent

Studio

$762

$597

+22% in Huntington, WV

1 Bedroom

$758

$793

+5% in Las Cruces, NM

2 Bedroom

$881

$888

+1% in Las Cruces, NM

3 Bedroom

$1,121

$1,177

+5% in Las Cruces, NM

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$118,800

$217,400

+83% in Las Cruces, NM

Income

Median Household Income

$43,146

$55,176

+28% in Las Cruces, NM

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$44,600

$42,070

+6% in Huntington, WV

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.9 yr

32.7 yr

+2.2 yr in Huntington, WV

Homeownership

52.5%

55.6%

+3.1 pp in Las Cruces, NM

Bachelor's+ (25+)

34.5%

37.3%

+2.8 pp in Las Cruces, NM

Avg Commute

18.6 min

18.7 min

+0.1 min in Las Cruces, NM

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

800.3

726

+9% in Huntington, WV

Property Crime

3,617.9

4,899.2

+35% 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

55.7°F

58.8°F

+3.1°F in Las Cruces, NM

Annual Precipitation

42.6 in

—

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.62/gal

+8% in Huntington, WV

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.4

15.1

+3% in Huntington, WV

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$24.68

$9.31

+62% in Huntington, WV

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 Huntington, WV

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 (WV / NM)

4.875%

+1.1 pp in WV

Income Tax (top rate)

4.82%

5.90%

+1.1 pp in NM

Huntington vs Las Cruces — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Huntington or Las Cruces?: They're close. Huntington, WV runs about $940 a month and Las Cruces, NM about $940 (1BR rent + utilities) — within a few percent of each other.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Huntington 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 Huntington versus $32,000 in Las Cruces.
Which has lower taxes, Huntington or Las Cruces?: Huntington is taxed under West Virginia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.82% 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).