Cost of Living: Clearwater, FL vs Las Cruces, NM (2026)

Clearwater

Florida
105
VS

Las Cruces

New Mexico
68

Clearwater is 54% more expensive than Las Cruces.

$1,539/mo ↑ 63%
Median Rent
$946/mo ↓ 39%
$64,440/yr ↑ 17%
Median Income
$55,176/yr ↓ 14%
$326,100 ↑ 50%
Home Value
$217,400 ↓ 33%
$1,411/mo ↑ 45%
Owner Costs
$974/mo ↓ 31%
117,075
Population
112,612

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.9%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
5.0%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.67%

Affordability

28.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Clearwater, FL and Las Cruces, NM, the overall cost of living indices are 105 and 68 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $593/month cheaper in Las Cruces, saving renters about $7,116/year.

Median household income is $9,264/year higher in Clearwater. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Clearwater is $326,100 compared to $217,400 in Las Cruces.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Clearwater vs Las Cruces — common questions

Is Clearwater 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 105 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Clearwater and Las Cruces?
Median rent in Clearwater is $1,539/month and in Las Cruces it's $946/month — a difference of $593/month.
Which city has higher income, Clearwater or Las Cruces?
Median household income is $64,440 in Clearwater and $55,176 in Las Cruces. Median household income is $9,264/year higher in Clearwater.
How do taxes compare between Florida and New Mexico?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. New Mexico has 5.9% income tax, 5.0% sales tax, and 0.67% property tax.
Should I move to Clearwater or Las Cruces?
It depends on your priorities. Clearwater has a cost index of 105 with median rent of $1,539/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 Clearwater details → View Las Cruces details →

More Comparisons

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