salaryLas Cruces is the 2nd-largest city in New Mexico that we track, with 114,197 residents. Rent is lower than in 71% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.9 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 18.9 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $50,680 a year. That is $24 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other New Mexico cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of New Mexico. It is number 30 of 44 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Las Cruces?
Share of households by yearly income. 16.7% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Las Cruces
| Size | Las Cruces | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $706 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $839 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,022 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,260 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,494 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Las Cruces overall?
Everyday prices in the Las Cruces metro area are 10% below the U.S. average (index 90.2, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Las Cruces
Life in Las Cruces
What jobs pay in Las Cruces
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Physician Assistant | $141,350 | 10.8% |
| Pharmacist | $135,900 | 11.2% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $131,990 | 11.5% |
| Lawyer | $110,140 | 13.8% |
| Software Developer | $107,300 | 14.2% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $95,350 | 15.9% |
| Civil Engineer | $87,600 | 17.4% |
| Operations Manager | $85,770 | 17.7% |
| Registered Nurse | $83,310 | 18.2% |
| Dental Hygienist | $82,120 | 18.5% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $74,100 | 20.5% |
| Accountant | $67,470 | 22.5% |
| Market Research Analyst | $63,450 | 24.0% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $61,670 | 24.7% |
| Police Officer | $60,720 | 25.0% |
| Carpenter | $57,030 | 26.7% |
| Plumber | $54,560 | 27.9% |
| Electrician | $53,980 | 28.2% |
| HVAC Technician | $49,650 | 30.6% |
| Truck Driver | $48,400 | 31.4% |
| Firefighter | $42,820 | 35.5% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $38,670 | 39.3% |
| Medical Assistant | $37,650 | 40.4% |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,400 | 40.7% |
| Customer Service Representative | $36,080 | 42.1% |
| Warehouse Worker | $33,350 | 45.6% |
| Restaurant Cook | $30,980 | 49.1% |
| Retail Salesperson | $30,460 | 49.9% |
| Cashier | $28,710 | 53.0% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Las Cruces?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $341 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $231,700 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $23,170 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Las Cruces, NM?
Renting in Las Cruces costs a median of about $1,267 a month in 2026, including utilities. The New Mexico median is $1,181.
How much do I need to make to live in Las Cruces?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $50,680 a year, or $24 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Las Cruces cheap or expensive?
Las Cruces is rated OK: rent takes 25.4% of the typical household income of $59,773. It ranks 30th cheapest of 44 New Mexico cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Las Cruces?
The median homeowner in Las Cruces pays $1,571 a year in property taxes, about 0.68% of the median home value.
Is Las Cruces more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 10% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Las Cruces?
The median home value in Las Cruces is $231,700, about 3.9 times the typical yearly household income.
114,197 people live in Las Cruces. Numbers are typical (middle) values.