Is it cheaper to live in Las Cruces or Memphis?

Las Cruces, NM is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 15% below Memphis, TN's $1,110, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Las Cruces versus $38,000 in Memphis.

Which has lower taxes, Las Cruces or Memphis?

Las Cruces is taxed under New Mexico's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax); Memphis under Tennessee's (no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax).

Las Cruces vs Memphis Cost of Living 2026

Las Cruces

New Mexico

$940/mo est.

Memphis

Tennessee

$1,110/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $940 in Las Cruces, NM versus $1,110 in Memphis, TN. Overall, Las Cruces, NM is roughly 15% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Memphis, TN, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $55,176 in Las Cruces, NM and $51,211 in Memphis, TN — about 7% higher in Las Cruces, NM. New Mexico has a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax; Tennessee has no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax.

Las Cruces, NM

Memphis, TN

Rent

Studio

$597

$877

+47% in Memphis, TN

1 Bedroom

$793

$948

+20% in Memphis, TN

2 Bedroom

$888

$1,073

+21% in Memphis, TN

3 Bedroom

$1,177

$1,281

+9% in Memphis, TN

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$217,400

$157,100

+28% in Las Cruces, NM

Income

Median Household Income

$55,176

$51,211

+7% in Las Cruces, NM

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$42,070

$46,890

+11% in Memphis, TN

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.7 yr

34.3 yr

+1.6 yr in Memphis, TN

Homeownership

55.6%

46.0%

+9.6 pp in Las Cruces, NM

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.3%

28.2%

+9.1 pp in Las Cruces, NM

Avg Commute

18.7 min

21.3 min

+2.6 min in Memphis, TN

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

726

2,507.6

+245% in Memphis, TN

Property Crime

4,899.2

6,966.3

+42% in Memphis, TN

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

58.8°F

63.1°F

+4.3°F in Memphis, TN

Annual Precipitation

—

53.7 in

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$3.94/gal

+9% in Memphis, TN

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$1.75

Adult base one-way fare — — vs MATA (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

14.5

+2% in Memphis, TN

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.90

$16.83

+41% in Memphis, TN

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.00

+17% in Las Cruces, NM

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.75

+14% in Las Cruces, NM

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in Memphis, TN

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.45

+12% in Las Cruces, NM

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$1.90

+6% in Las Cruces, NM

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Las Cruces, NM

Average prices — West vs South (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NM / TN)

4.875%

+2.1 pp in TN

Income Tax (top rate)

5.90%

None

+5.9 pp in NM

Las Cruces vs Memphis — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Las Cruces or Memphis?: Las Cruces, NM is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 15% below Memphis, TN's $1,110, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Las Cruces than in Memphis?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Las Cruces versus $38,000 in Memphis.
Which has lower taxes, Las Cruces or Memphis?: Las Cruces is taxed under New Mexico's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax); Memphis under Tennessee's (no state income tax and a 7% 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).