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

Arlington

Texas
95
VS

Las Cruces

New Mexico
68

Arlington is 40% more expensive than Las Cruces.

$1,389/mo ↑ 47%
Median Rent
$946/mo ↓ 32%
$73,519/yr ↑ 33%
Median Income
$55,176/yr ↓ 25%
$276,400 ↑ 27%
Home Value
$217,400 ↓ 21%
$1,420/mo ↑ 46%
Owner Costs
$974/mo ↓ 31%
394,769
Population
112,612

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

22.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Arlington, TX and Las Cruces, NM, the overall cost of living indices are 95 and 68 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $443/month cheaper in Las Cruces, saving renters about $5,316/year.

Median household income is $18,343/year higher in Arlington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Arlington is $276,400 compared to $217,400 in Las Cruces.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Arlington vs Las Cruces — common questions

Is Arlington 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 95 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Arlington and Las Cruces?
Median rent in Arlington is $1,389/month and in Las Cruces it's $946/month — a difference of $443/month.
Which city has higher income, Arlington or Las Cruces?
Median household income is $73,519 in Arlington and $55,176 in Las Cruces. Median household income is $18,343/year higher in Arlington.
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 Arlington or Las Cruces?
It depends on your priorities. Arlington has a cost index of 95 with median rent of $1,389/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.
View Arlington details → View Las Cruces details →

More Comparisons

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