Is it cheaper to live in Las Cruces or Springfield?

They're close. Las Cruces, NM runs about $940 a month and Springfield, MO about $940 (1BR rent + utilities) — within a few percent of each other.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Las Cruces versus $31,000 in Springfield.

Which has lower taxes, Las Cruces or Springfield?

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); Springfield under Missouri's (a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% state sales tax).

Las Cruces vs Springfield Cost of Living 2026

Las Cruces

New Mexico

$940/mo est.

Springfield

Missouri

$940/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 $940 in Springfield, MO. The two are close overall, within a few percent of each other.

Median household income is $55,176 in Las Cruces, NM and $45,984 in Springfield, MO — about 17% higher in Las Cruces, NM. New Mexico has a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax; Missouri has a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% state sales tax.

Las Cruces, NM

Springfield, MO

Rent

Studio

$597

$760

+27% in Springfield, MO

1 Bedroom

$793

$772

+3% in Las Cruces, NM

2 Bedroom

$888

$926

+4% in Springfield, MO

3 Bedroom

$1,177

$1,158

+2% in Las Cruces, NM

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$217,400

$165,200

+24% in Las Cruces, NM

Income

Median Household Income

$55,176

$45,984

+17% in Las Cruces, NM

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$42,070

$45,780

+9% in Springfield, MO

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.7 yr

33.6 yr

+0.9 yr in Springfield, MO

Homeownership

55.6%

42.9%

+12.7 pp in Las Cruces, NM

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.3%

30.3%

+7.0 pp in Las Cruces, NM

Avg Commute

18.7 min

18.0 min

+0.7 min in Las Cruces, NM

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

726

1,189.8

+64% in Springfield, MO

Property Crime

4,899.2

4,231.6

+14% 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

56.3°F

+2.5°F in Las Cruces, NM

Annual Precipitation

—

45.6 in

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$3.94/gal

+9% in Springfield, MO

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

13.7

+3% in Las Cruces, NM

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.90

$24.13

+103% in Springfield, MO

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 Springfield, MO

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Las Cruces, NM

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Springfield, MO

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 / MO)

4.875%

4.225%

+0.7 pp in NM

Income Tax (top rate)

5.90%

4.70%

+1.2 pp in NM

Las Cruces vs Springfield — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Las Cruces or Springfield?: They're close. Las Cruces, NM runs about $940 a month and Springfield, MO about $940 (1BR rent + utilities) — within a few percent of each other.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Las Cruces than in Springfield?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Las Cruces versus $31,000 in Springfield.
Which has lower taxes, Las Cruces or Springfield?: 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); Springfield under Missouri's (a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% 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).