Is it cheaper to live in Las Cruces or Wichita?

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

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 Wichita.

Which has lower taxes, Las Cruces or Wichita?

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

Las Cruces vs Wichita Cost of Living 2026

Las Cruces

New Mexico

$940/mo est.

Wichita

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

Median household income is $55,176 in Las Cruces, NM and $63,072 in Wichita, KS — about 13% higher in Wichita, 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

Wichita, KS

Rent

Studio

$597

$726

+22% in Wichita, KS

1 Bedroom

$793

$761

+4% in Las Cruces, NM

2 Bedroom

$888

$976

+10% in Wichita, KS

3 Bedroom

$1,177

$1,199

+2% in Wichita, KS

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$217,400

$179,500

+17% in Las Cruces, NM

Income

Median Household Income

$55,176

$63,072

+14% in Wichita, KS

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$42,070

$47,630

+13% in Wichita, KS

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.7 yr

35.7 yr

+3.0 yr in Wichita, KS

Homeownership

55.6%

58.4%

+2.8 pp in Wichita, KS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.3%

30.9%

+6.4 pp in Las Cruces, NM

Avg Commute

18.7 min

18.9 min

+0.2 min in Wichita, KS

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

726

1,238.7

+71% in Wichita, KS

Property Crime

4,899.2

5,284.9

+8% in Wichita, KS

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

57.0°F

+1.8°F in Las Cruces, NM

Annual Precipitation

—

32.6 in

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$3.94/gal

+9% in Wichita, KS

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

15.1

+7% in Wichita, KS

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.90

$25.12

+111% in Wichita, 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 Wichita, KS

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Las Cruces, NM

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Wichita, 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 Wichita — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Las Cruces or Wichita?: They're close. Las Cruces, NM runs about $940 a month and Wichita, 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 Wichita?: 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 Wichita.
Which has lower taxes, Las Cruces or Wichita?: 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); Wichita 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).