Is it cheaper to live in Las Cruces or Spokane?

Las Cruces, NM is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 12% below Spokane, WA's $1,070, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Las Cruces versus $36,000 in Spokane.

Which has lower taxes, Las Cruces or Spokane?

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); Spokane under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Las Cruces vs Spokane Cost of Living 2026

Las Cruces

New Mexico

$940/mo est.

Spokane

Washington

$1,070/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 $1,070 in Spokane, WA. Overall, Las Cruces, NM is roughly 12% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Spokane, WA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $55,176 in Las Cruces, NM and $65,745 in Spokane, WA — about 16% higher in Spokane, WA. New Mexico has a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Las Cruces, NM

Spokane, WA

Rent

Studio

$597

$884

+48% in Spokane, WA

1 Bedroom

$793

$903

+14% in Spokane, WA

2 Bedroom

$888

$1,192

+34% in Spokane, WA

3 Bedroom

$1,177

$1,442

+23% in Spokane, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$217,400

$326,200

+50% in Spokane, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$55,176

$65,745

+19% in Spokane, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$42,070

$54,660

+30% in Spokane, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.7 yr

37.2 yr

+4.5 yr in Spokane, WA

Homeownership

55.6%

58.3%

+2.7 pp in Spokane, WA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.3%

32.6%

+4.7 pp in Las Cruces, NM

Avg Commute

18.7 min

21.2 min

+2.5 min in Spokane, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

726

683.6

+6% in Las Cruces, NM

Property Crime

4,899.2

4,931.8

+1% in Spokane, WA

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

48.9°F

+9.9°F in Las Cruces, NM

Annual Precipitation

—

17.8 in

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$5.12/gal

+41% in Spokane, WA

Area: Gulf Coast (PADD 3) vs Washington.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

14.9

+6% in Spokane, WA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.90

$20.41

+72% in Spokane, WA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

about equal

Bread (lb)

$2.04

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NM / WA)

4.875%

6.5%

+1.6 pp in WA

Income Tax (top rate)

5.90%

None

+5.9 pp in NM

Las Cruces vs Spokane — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Las Cruces or Spokane?: Las Cruces, NM is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 12% below Spokane, WA's $1,070, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Las Cruces than in Spokane?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Las Cruces versus $36,000 in Spokane.
Which has lower taxes, Las Cruces or Spokane?: 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); Spokane under Washington's (no state income tax 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).