Cost of Living: Amarillo, TX vs Las Cruces, NM (2026)

Amarillo

Texas
69
VS

Las Cruces

New Mexico
68

Amarillo and Las Cruces have a similar cost of living.

$1,049/mo ↑ 11%
Median Rent
$946/mo ↓ 10%
$62,469/yr ↑ 13%
Median Income
$55,176/yr ↓ 12%
$186,800 ↓ 14%
Home Value
$217,400 ↑ 16%
$1,074/mo ↑ 10%
Owner Costs
$974/mo ↓ 9%
200,945
Population
112,612

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.9%
6.25%
Sales Tax
5.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.67%

Affordability

20.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Amarillo, TX and Las Cruces, NM, the overall cost of living indices are 69 and 68 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $103/month cheaper in Las Cruces, saving renters about $1,236/year.

Median household income is $7,293/year higher in Amarillo. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Amarillo is $186,800 compared to $217,400 in Las Cruces.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Amarillo residents a significant tax advantage over New Mexico's 5.9% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Amarillo vs Las Cruces — common questions

Is Amarillo or Las Cruces cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Las Cruces is cheaper to live in with an index of 68 compared to 69 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Amarillo and Las Cruces?
Median rent in Amarillo is $1,049/month and in Las Cruces it's $946/month — a difference of $103/month.
Which city has higher income, Amarillo or Las Cruces?
Median household income is $62,469 in Amarillo and $55,176 in Las Cruces. Median household income is $7,293/year higher in Amarillo.
How do taxes compare between Texas and New Mexico?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. New Mexico has 5.9% income tax, 5.0% sales tax, and 0.67% property tax.
Should I move to Amarillo or Las Cruces?
It depends on your priorities. Amarillo has a cost index of 69 with median rent of $1,049/mo, while Las Cruces has a cost index of 68 with rent of $946/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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