Is it cheaper to live in Las Cruces or Raleigh?

Las Cruces, NM is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 38% below Raleigh, NC's $1,510, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Las Cruces versus $53,000 in Raleigh.

Which has lower taxes, Las Cruces or Raleigh?

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); Raleigh under North Carolina's (a top state income tax rate of 3.99% and a 4.75% state sales tax).

Las Cruces vs Raleigh Cost of Living 2026

Las Cruces

New Mexico

$940/mo est.

Raleigh

North Carolina

$1,510/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 $1,510 in Raleigh, NC. Overall, Las Cruces, NM is roughly 38% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Raleigh, NC, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $55,176 in Las Cruces, NM and $82,424 in Raleigh, NC — about 33% higher in Raleigh, NC. New Mexico has a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax; North Carolina has a top state income tax rate of 3.99% and a 4.75% state sales tax.

Las Cruces, NM

Raleigh, NC

Rent

Studio

$597

$1,301

+118% in Raleigh, NC

1 Bedroom

$793

$1,323

+67% in Raleigh, NC

2 Bedroom

$888

$1,462

+65% in Raleigh, NC

3 Bedroom

$1,177

$1,715

+46% in Raleigh, NC

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$217,400

$377,800

+74% in Raleigh, NC

Income

Median Household Income

$55,176

$82,424

+49% in Raleigh, NC

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$42,070

$51,990

+24% in Raleigh, NC

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.7 yr

34.7 yr

+2.0 yr in Raleigh, NC

Homeownership

55.6%

51.2%

+4.4 pp in Las Cruces, NM

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.3%

52.9%

+15.6 pp in Raleigh, NC

Avg Commute

18.7 min

23.4 min

+4.7 min in Raleigh, NC

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

726

491.5

+32% in Las Cruces, NM

Property Crime

4,899.2

2,838.4

+42% 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

60.6°F

+1.8°F in Raleigh, NC

Annual Precipitation

—

46.0 in

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$3.86/gal

+7% in Raleigh, NC

Area: Gulf Coast (PADD 3) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$1.25

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

15.1

+7% in Raleigh, NC

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.90

$27.56

+132% in Raleigh, NC

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 Raleigh, NC

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 / NC)

4.875%

4.75%

+0.1 pp in NM

Income Tax (top rate)

5.90%

3.99%

+1.9 pp in NM

Las Cruces vs Raleigh — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Las Cruces or Raleigh?: Las Cruces, NM is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 38% below Raleigh, NC's $1,510, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Las Cruces than in Raleigh?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Las Cruces versus $53,000 in Raleigh.
Which has lower taxes, Las Cruces or Raleigh?: 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); Raleigh under North Carolina's (a top state income tax rate of 3.99% and a 4.75% 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).