Is it cheaper to live in Las Cruces or Missoula?

Las Cruces, NM is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 15% below Missoula, MT's $1,100, mainly because of rent.

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

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 Missoula.

Which has lower taxes, Las Cruces or Missoula?

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); Missoula under Montana's (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax).

Las Cruces vs Missoula Cost of Living 2026

Las Cruces

New Mexico

$940/mo est.

Missoula

Montana

$1,100/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 $1,100 in Missoula, MT. Overall, Las Cruces, NM is roughly 15% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Missoula, MT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $55,176 in Las Cruces, NM and $65,329 in Missoula, MT — about 16% higher in Missoula, MT. New Mexico has a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax; Montana has a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax.

Las Cruces, NM

Missoula, MT

Rent

Studio

$597

$755

+26% in Missoula, MT

1 Bedroom

$793

$953

+20% in Missoula, MT

2 Bedroom

$888

$1,176

+32% in Missoula, MT

3 Bedroom

$1,177

$1,676

+42% in Missoula, MT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$217,400

$427,400

+97% in Missoula, MT

Income

Median Household Income

$55,176

$65,329

+18% in Missoula, MT

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$42,070

$47,830

+14% in Missoula, MT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.7 yr

34.3 yr

+1.6 yr in Missoula, MT

Homeownership

55.6%

47.8%

+7.8 pp in Las Cruces, NM

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.3%

51.7%

+14.4 pp in Missoula, MT

Avg Commute

18.7 min

16.6 min

+2.1 min in Las Cruces, NM

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

726

601.9

+17% in Las Cruces, NM

Property Crime

4,899.2

3,685.2

+25% 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

58.8°F

45.9°F

+12.9°F in Las Cruces, NM

Annual Precipitation

—

14.1 in

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$4.27/gal

+18% in Missoula, MT

Area: Gulf Coast (PADD 3) vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.1

+1% in Missoula, MT

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$9.31

$10.12

+9% in Missoula, MT

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

about equal

Bread (lb)

$2.04

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NM / MT)

4.875%

None

+4.9 pp in NM

Income Tax (top rate)

5.90%

5.65%

+0.3 pp in NM

Las Cruces vs Missoula — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Las Cruces or Missoula?: Las Cruces, NM is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 15% below Missoula, MT's $1,100, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Las Cruces than in Missoula?: 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 Missoula.
Which has lower taxes, Las Cruces or Missoula?: 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); Missoula under Montana's (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no 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).