Is it cheaper to live in Las Cruces or Norman?

Las Cruces, NM is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below Norman, OK's $1,030, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Las Cruces versus $35,000 in Norman.

Which has lower taxes, Las Cruces or Norman?

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); Norman under Oklahoma's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax).

Las Cruces vs Norman Cost of Living 2026

Las Cruces

New Mexico

$940/mo est.

Norman

Oklahoma

$1,030/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 $1,030 in Norman, OK. Overall, Las Cruces, NM is roughly 9% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Norman, OK, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $55,176 in Las Cruces, NM and $65,060 in Norman, OK — about 15% higher in Norman, OK. New Mexico has a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax; Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax.

Las Cruces, NM

Norman, OK

Rent

Studio

$597

$820

+37% in Norman, OK

1 Bedroom

$793

$863

+9% in Norman, OK

2 Bedroom

$888

$1,056

+19% in Norman, OK

3 Bedroom

$1,177

$1,377

+17% in Norman, OK

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$217,400

$239,300

+10% in Norman, OK

Income

Median Household Income

$55,176

$65,060

+18% in Norman, OK

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$42,070

$47,230

+12% in Norman, OK

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.7 yr

31.6 yr

+1.1 yr in Las Cruces, NM

Homeownership

55.6%

52.7%

+2.9 pp in Las Cruces, NM

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.3%

46.2%

+8.9 pp in Norman, OK

Avg Commute

18.7 min

22.2 min

+3.5 min in Norman, OK

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

726

268.6

+63% in Las Cruces, NM

Property Crime

4,899.2

2,294.1

+53% 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

61.5°F

+2.7°F in Norman, OK

Annual Precipitation

—

36.5 in

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$3.94/gal

+9% in Norman, OK

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

13.4

+5% in Las Cruces, NM

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.90

$27.15

+128% in Norman, OK

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 Norman, OK

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 / OK)

4.875%

4.5%

+0.4 pp in NM

Income Tax (top rate)

5.90%

4.50%

+1.4 pp in NM

Las Cruces vs Norman — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Las Cruces or Norman?: Las Cruces, NM is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below Norman, OK's $1,030, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Las Cruces than in Norman?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Las Cruces versus $35,000 in Norman.
Which has lower taxes, Las Cruces or Norman?: 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); Norman under Oklahoma's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% 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).