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

Fort Lauderdale

Florida
132
VS

Las Cruces

New Mexico
68

Fort Lauderdale is 94% more expensive than Las Cruces.

$1,776/mo ↑ 88%
Median Rent
$946/mo ↓ 47%
$79,935/yr ↑ 45%
Median Income
$55,176/yr ↓ 31%
$455,600 ↑ 110%
Home Value
$217,400 ↓ 52%
$1,778/mo ↑ 83%
Owner Costs
$974/mo ↓ 45%
183,032
Population
112,612

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

26.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fort Lauderdale, FL and Las Cruces, NM, the overall cost of living indices are 132 and 68 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $830/month cheaper in Las Cruces, saving renters about $9,960/year.

Median household income is $24,759/year higher in Fort Lauderdale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fort Lauderdale is $455,600 compared to $217,400 in Las Cruces.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Fort Lauderdale vs Las Cruces — common questions

Is Fort Lauderdale 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 132 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fort Lauderdale and Las Cruces?
Median rent in Fort Lauderdale is $1,776/month and in Las Cruces it's $946/month — a difference of $830/month.
Which city has higher income, Fort Lauderdale or Las Cruces?
Median household income is $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale and $55,176 in Las Cruces. Median household income is $24,759/year higher in Fort Lauderdale.
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 Fort Lauderdale or Las Cruces?
It depends on your priorities. Fort Lauderdale has a cost index of 132 with median rent of $1,776/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 Fort Lauderdale details → View Las Cruces details →

More Comparisons

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