Is it cheaper to live in Jackson or Las Cruces?

Las Cruces, NM is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 7% below Jackson, MS's $1,010, mainly because of natural gas costs.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Jackson versus $32,000 in Las Cruces.

Which has lower taxes, Jackson or Las Cruces?

Jackson is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% 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).

Jackson vs Las Cruces Cost of Living 2026

Jackson

Mississippi

$1,010/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 $1,010 in Jackson, MS versus $940 in Las Cruces, NM. Overall, Las Cruces, NM is roughly 7% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Jackson, MS, driven mainly by natural gas costs.

Median household income is $43,238 in Jackson, MS and $55,176 in Las Cruces, NM — about 22% higher in Las Cruces, NM. Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax; New Mexico has a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax.

Jackson, MS

Las Cruces, NM

Rent

Studio

$1,085

$597

+45% in Jackson, MS

1 Bedroom

$816

$793

+3% in Jackson, MS

2 Bedroom

$991

$888

+10% in Jackson, MS

3 Bedroom

$1,121

$1,177

+5% in Las Cruces, NM

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$108,200

$217,400

+101% in Las Cruces, NM

Income

Median Household Income

$43,238

$55,176

+28% in Las Cruces, NM

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$42,850

$42,070

+2% in Jackson, MS

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.7 yr

32.7 yr

+2.0 yr in Jackson, MS

Homeownership

48.6%

55.6%

+7.0 pp in Las Cruces, NM

Bachelor's+ (25+)

28.6%

37.3%

+8.7 pp in Las Cruces, NM

Avg Commute

20.2 min

18.7 min

+1.5 min in Jackson, MS

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

—

726

Property Crime

—

4,899.2

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

65.3°F

58.8°F

+6.5°F in Jackson, MS

Annual Precipitation

54.3 in

—

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.2

14.1

+13% in Jackson, MS

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$27.68

$11.90

+57% in Jackson, MS

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 Jackson, MS

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 (MS / NM)

4.875%

+2.1 pp in MS

Income Tax (top rate)

4.00%

5.90%

+1.9 pp in NM

Jackson vs Las Cruces — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Jackson or Las Cruces?: Las Cruces, NM is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 7% below Jackson, MS's $1,010, mainly because of natural gas costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Jackson than in Las Cruces?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Jackson versus $32,000 in Las Cruces.
Which has lower taxes, Jackson or Las Cruces?: Jackson is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% 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).