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

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Las Cruces

New Mexico
68

El Paso and Las Cruces have a similar cost of living.

$1,041/mo ↑ 10%
Median Rent
$946/mo ↓ 9%
$58,734/yr ↑ 6%
Median Income
$55,176/yr ↓ 6%
$171,700 ↓ 21%
Home Value
$217,400 ↑ 27%
$1,044/mo ↑ 7%
Owner Costs
$974/mo ↓ 7%
678,147
Population
112,612

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Las Cruces, NM, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 68 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $95/month cheaper in Las Cruces, saving renters about $1,140/year.

Median household income is $3,558/year higher in El Paso. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $217,400 in Las Cruces.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

El Paso vs Las Cruces — common questions

Is El Paso or Las Cruces cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, El Paso is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 68 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and Las Cruces?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in Las Cruces it's $946/month — a difference of $95/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Las Cruces?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $55,176 in Las Cruces. Median household income is $3,558/year higher in El Paso.
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 El Paso or Las Cruces?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/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 El Paso details → View Las Cruces details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for El Paso and Las Cruces

El Paso vs. Nashville El Paso vs. Washington El Paso vs. Oklahoma City El Paso vs. Boston El Paso vs. Denver El Paso vs. Las Vegas 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