Is it cheaper to live in Las Cruces or Overland Park?

Las Cruces, NM is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 33% below Overland Park, KS's $1,410, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Las Cruces versus $49,000 in Overland Park.

Which has lower taxes, Las Cruces or Overland Park?

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); Overland Park under Kansas's (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Las Cruces vs Overland Park Cost of Living 2026

Las Cruces

New Mexico

$940/mo est.

Overland Park

Kansas

$1,410/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 $1,410 in Overland Park, KS. Overall, Las Cruces, NM is roughly 33% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Overland Park, KS, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $55,176 in Las Cruces, NM and $103,838 in Overland Park, KS — about 47% higher in Overland Park, KS. New Mexico has a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax; Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Las Cruces, NM

Overland Park, KS

Rent

Studio

$597

$1,270

+113% in Overland Park, KS

1 Bedroom

$793

$1,224

+54% in Overland Park, KS

2 Bedroom

$888

$1,589

+79% in Overland Park, KS

3 Bedroom

$1,177

$1,828

+55% in Overland Park, KS

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$217,400

$384,400

+77% in Overland Park, KS

Income

Median Household Income

$55,176

$103,838

+88% in Overland Park, KS

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$42,070

$50,820

+21% in Overland Park, KS

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.7 yr

38.6 yr

+5.9 yr in Overland Park, KS

Homeownership

55.6%

61.5%

+5.9 pp in Overland Park, KS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.3%

62.9%

+25.6 pp in Overland Park, KS

Avg Commute

18.7 min

19.9 min

+1.2 min in Overland Park, KS

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

726

188.4

+74% in Las Cruces, NM

Property Crime

4,899.2

1,790.5

+63% 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

55.2°F

+3.6°F in Las Cruces, NM

Annual Precipitation

—

40.0 in

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$3.85/gal

+6% in Overland Park, KS

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.1

15.7

+4% in Overland Park, KS

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$9.31

$25.12

+170% in Overland Park, KS

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.31

+10% in Las Cruces, NM

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.66

+19% in Las Cruces, NM

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Overland Park, KS

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Las Cruces, NM

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Overland Park, KS

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Las Cruces, NM

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NM / KS)

4.875%

6.5%

+1.6 pp in KS

Income Tax (top rate)

5.90%

5.58%

+0.3 pp in NM

Las Cruces vs Overland Park — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Las Cruces or Overland Park?: Las Cruces, NM is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 33% below Overland Park, KS's $1,410, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Las Cruces than in Overland Park?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Las Cruces versus $49,000 in Overland Park.
Which has lower taxes, Las Cruces or Overland Park?: 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); Overland Park under Kansas's (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% 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).