Is it cheaper to live in Las Cruces or Topeka?

They're close. Las Cruces, NM runs about $940 a month and Topeka, KS 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 Topeka?

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

Which has lower taxes, Las Cruces or Topeka?

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); Topeka under Kansas's (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Las Cruces vs Topeka Cost of Living 2026

Las Cruces

New Mexico

$940/mo est.

Topeka

Kansas

$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 Topeka, KS. The two are close overall, within a few percent of each other.

Median household income is $55,176 in Las Cruces, NM and $55,902 in Topeka, KS — about 1% higher in Topeka, KS. New Mexico has a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax; Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Las Cruces, NM

Topeka, KS

Rent

Studio

$597

$702

+18% in Topeka, KS

1 Bedroom

$793

$758

+4% in Las Cruces, NM

2 Bedroom

$888

$977

+10% in Topeka, KS

3 Bedroom

$1,177

about equal

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$217,400

$130,600

+40% in Las Cruces, NM

Income

Median Household Income

$55,176

$55,902

+1% in Topeka, KS

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$42,070

$49,540

+18% in Topeka, KS

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.7 yr

38.2 yr

+5.5 yr in Topeka, KS

Homeownership

55.6%

59.2%

+3.6 pp in Topeka, KS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.3%

29.1%

+8.2 pp in Las Cruces, NM

Avg Commute

18.7 min

16.7 min

+2.0 min in Las Cruces, NM

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

726

856.5

+18% in Topeka, KS

Property Crime

4,899.2

3,660.2

+25% 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

55.1°F

+3.7°F in Las Cruces, NM

Annual Precipitation

—

36.5 in

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$3.85/gal

+6% in Topeka, KS

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.1

15.7

+4% in Topeka, KS

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$9.31

$25.12

+170% in Topeka, KS

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 Topeka, KS

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Las Cruces, NM

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Topeka, KS

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 / KS)

4.875%

6.5%

+1.6 pp in KS

Income Tax (top rate)

5.90%

5.58%

+0.3 pp in NM

Las Cruces vs Topeka — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Las Cruces or Topeka?: They're close. Las Cruces, NM runs about $940 a month and Topeka, KS 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 Topeka?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Las Cruces versus $30,000 in Topeka.
Which has lower taxes, Las Cruces or Topeka?: 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); Topeka under Kansas's (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% 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).