Is it cheaper to live in Las Cruces or Rutland?

Las Cruces, NM is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 16% below Rutland, VT's $1,120, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Las Cruces versus $34,000 in Rutland.

Which has lower taxes, Las Cruces or Rutland?

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); Rutland under Vermont's (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax).

Las Cruces vs Rutland Cost of Living 2026

Las Cruces

New Mexico

$940/mo est.

Rutland

Vermont

$1,120/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 $1,120 in Rutland, VT. Overall, Las Cruces, NM is roughly 16% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Rutland, VT, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $55,176 in Las Cruces, NM and $55,000 in Rutland, VT. New Mexico has a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax; Vermont has a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax.

Las Cruces, NM

Rutland, VT

Rent

Studio

$597

$893

+50% in Rutland, VT

1 Bedroom

$793

$856

+8% in Rutland, VT

2 Bedroom

$888

$1,097

+24% in Rutland, VT

3 Bedroom

$1,177

$1,207

+3% in Rutland, VT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$217,400

$176,400

+19% in Las Cruces, NM

Income

Median Household Income

$55,176

$55,000

+0% in Las Cruces, NM

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$42,070

—

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.7 yr

48.5 yr

+15.8 yr in Rutland, VT

Homeownership

55.6%

52.7%

+2.9 pp in Las Cruces, NM

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.3%

32.2%

+5.1 pp in Las Cruces, NM

Avg Commute

18.7 min

14.7 min

+4.0 min in Las Cruces, NM

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

726

487.8

+33% in Las Cruces, NM

Property Crime

4,899.2

3,973.3

+19% 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

44.6°F

+14.2°F in Las Cruces, NM

Annual Precipitation

—

40.5 in

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$3.94/gal

+9% in Rutland, VT

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.1

24.4

+62% in Rutland, VT

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$9.31

$26.07

+180% in Rutland, VT

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

$1.92

+6% in Las Cruces, NM

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.90

+6% in Las Cruces, NM

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.19

+9% in Rutland, VT

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.69

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NM / VT)

4.875%

+1.1 pp in VT

Income Tax (top rate)

5.90%

8.75%

+2.8 pp in VT

Las Cruces vs Rutland — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Las Cruces or Rutland?: Las Cruces, NM is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 16% below Rutland, VT's $1,120, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Las Cruces than in Rutland?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Las Cruces versus $34,000 in Rutland.
Which has lower taxes, Las Cruces or Rutland?: 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); Rutland under Vermont's (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% 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).