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

Denton

Texas
100
VS

Las Cruces

New Mexico
68

Denton is 47% more expensive than Las Cruces.

$1,344/mo ↑ 42%
Median Rent
$946/mo ↓ 30%
$73,719/yr ↑ 34%
Median Income
$55,176/yr ↓ 25%
$325,700 ↑ 50%
Home Value
$217,400 ↓ 33%
$1,461/mo ↑ 50%
Owner Costs
$974/mo ↓ 33%
146,987
Population
112,612

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

21.9%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Denton, TX and Las Cruces, NM, the overall cost of living indices are 100 and 68 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $398/month cheaper in Las Cruces, saving renters about $4,776/year.

Median household income is $18,543/year higher in Denton. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Denton is $325,700 compared to $217,400 in Las Cruces.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Denton vs Las Cruces — common questions

Is Denton 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 100 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Denton and Las Cruces?
Median rent in Denton is $1,344/month and in Las Cruces it's $946/month — a difference of $398/month.
Which city has higher income, Denton or Las Cruces?
Median household income is $73,719 in Denton and $55,176 in Las Cruces. Median household income is $18,543/year higher in Denton.
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 Denton or Las Cruces?
It depends on your priorities. Denton has a cost index of 100 with median rent of $1,344/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 Denton details → View Las Cruces details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Denton and Las Cruces

Denton vs. Savannah Denton vs. Syracuse Denton vs. Rockford Denton vs. McAllen Denton vs. Bridgeport Denton vs. Olathe Las Cruces vs. Gresham Las Cruces vs. Lansing Las Cruces vs. Beaumont Las Cruces vs. Pompano Beach Las Cruces vs. Springfield Las Cruces vs. Peoria