Is it cheaper to live in Las Cruces or Tulsa?

Las Cruces, NM is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below Tulsa, OK's $1,020, mainly because of rent.

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

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 Tulsa.

Which has lower taxes, Las Cruces or Tulsa?

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); Tulsa under Oklahoma's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax).

Las Cruces vs Tulsa Cost of Living 2026

Las Cruces

New Mexico

$940/mo est.

Tulsa

Oklahoma

$1,020/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 $1,020 in Tulsa, OK. Overall, Las Cruces, NM is roughly 8% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Tulsa, OK, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $55,176 in Las Cruces, NM and $58,407 in Tulsa, OK — about 6% higher in Tulsa, OK. New Mexico has a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax; Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax.

Las Cruces, NM

Tulsa, OK

Rent

Studio

$597

$786

+32% in Tulsa, OK

1 Bedroom

$793

$847

+7% in Tulsa, OK

2 Bedroom

$888

$1,045

+18% in Tulsa, OK

3 Bedroom

$1,177

$1,265

+7% in Tulsa, OK

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$217,400

$189,600

+13% in Las Cruces, NM

Income

Median Household Income

$55,176

$58,407

+6% in Tulsa, OK

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$42,070

$46,670

+11% in Tulsa, OK

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.7 yr

35.5 yr

+2.8 yr in Tulsa, OK

Homeownership

55.6%

52.0%

+3.6 pp in Las Cruces, NM

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.3%

33.3%

+4.0 pp in Las Cruces, NM

Avg Commute

18.7 min

about equal

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

726

948.9

+31% in Tulsa, OK

Property Crime

4,899.2

3,664.6

+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

60.1°F

+1.3°F in Tulsa, OK

Annual Precipitation

—

43.7 in

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$3.94/gal

+9% in Tulsa, OK

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

13.4

+5% in Las Cruces, NM

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.90

$27.15

+128% in Tulsa, OK

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.00

+17% in Las Cruces, NM

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.75

+14% in Las Cruces, NM

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in Tulsa, OK

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.45

+12% in Las Cruces, NM

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$1.90

+6% in Las Cruces, NM

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Las Cruces, NM

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NM / OK)

4.875%

4.5%

+0.4 pp in NM

Income Tax (top rate)

5.90%

4.50%

+1.4 pp in NM

Las Cruces vs Tulsa — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Las Cruces or Tulsa?: Las Cruces, NM is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below Tulsa, OK's $1,020, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Las Cruces than in Tulsa?: 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 Tulsa.
Which has lower taxes, Las Cruces or Tulsa?: 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); Tulsa under Oklahoma's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% 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).