Is it cheaper to live in Las Cruces or Sioux Falls?

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

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

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 Sioux Falls.

Which has lower taxes, Las Cruces or Sioux Falls?

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); Sioux Falls under South Dakota's (no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax).

Las Cruces vs Sioux Falls Cost of Living 2026

Las Cruces

New Mexico

$940/mo est.

Sioux Falls

South Dakota

$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 Sioux Falls, SD. Overall, Las Cruces, NM is roughly 9% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Sioux Falls, SD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $55,176 in Las Cruces, NM and $74,714 in Sioux Falls, SD — about 26% higher in Sioux Falls, SD. New Mexico has a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax; South Dakota has no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax.

Las Cruces, NM

Sioux Falls, SD

Rent

Studio

$597

$825

+38% in Sioux Falls, SD

1 Bedroom

$793

$870

+10% in Sioux Falls, SD

2 Bedroom

$888

$1,000

+13% in Sioux Falls, SD

3 Bedroom

$1,177

$1,237

+5% in Sioux Falls, SD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$217,400

$271,400

+25% in Sioux Falls, SD

Income

Median Household Income

$55,176

$74,714

+35% in Sioux Falls, SD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$42,070

$47,970

+14% in Sioux Falls, SD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.7 yr

35.1 yr

+2.4 yr in Sioux Falls, SD

Homeownership

55.6%

60.0%

+4.4 pp in Sioux Falls, SD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.3%

37.4%

+0.1 pp in Sioux Falls, SD

Avg Commute

18.7 min

17.0 min

+1.7 min in Las Cruces, NM

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

726

526.7

+27% in Las Cruces, NM

Property Crime

4,899.2

2,927.1

+40% 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

45.8°F

+13.0°F in Las Cruces, NM

Annual Precipitation

—

26.4 in

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$3.94/gal

+9% in Sioux Falls, SD

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

15.7

+11% in Sioux Falls, SD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.90

$10.95

+8% in Las Cruces, NM

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 Sioux Falls, SD

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Las Cruces, NM

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Sioux Falls, SD

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 / SD)

4.875%

4.2%

+0.7 pp in NM

Income Tax (top rate)

5.90%

None

+5.9 pp in NM

Las Cruces vs Sioux Falls — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Las Cruces or Sioux Falls?: Las Cruces, NM is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below Sioux Falls, SD's $1,030, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Las Cruces than in Sioux Falls?: 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 Sioux Falls.
Which has lower taxes, Las Cruces or Sioux Falls?: 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); Sioux Falls under South Dakota's (no state income tax and a 4.2% 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).