Cost of Living: Knoxville, TN vs Las Cruces, NM (2026)

Knoxville

Tennessee
74
VS

Las Cruces

New Mexico
68

Knoxville is 9% more expensive than Las Cruces.

$1,116/mo ↑ 18%
Median Rent
$946/mo ↓ 15%
$50,994/yr ↓ 8%
Median Income
$55,176/yr ↑ 8%
$214,000 ↓ 2%
Home Value
$217,400 ↑ 2%
$1,075/mo ↑ 10%
Owner Costs
$974/mo ↓ 9%
193,721
Population
112,612

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.9%
7.0%
State Sales Tax
5.0%
0.64%
Property Tax
0.67%

Affordability

26.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Knoxville, TN and Las Cruces, NM, the overall cost of living indices are 74 and 68 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $170/month cheaper in Las Cruces, saving renters about $2,040/year.

Median household income is $4,182/year higher in Las Cruces. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Knoxville is $214,000 compared to $217,400 in Las Cruces.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Knoxville vs Las Cruces — common questions

Is Knoxville 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 74 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Knoxville and Las Cruces?
Median rent in Knoxville is $1,116/month and in Las Cruces it's $946/month — a difference of $170/month.
Which city has higher income, Knoxville or Las Cruces?
Median household income is $50,994 in Knoxville and $55,176 in Las Cruces. Median household income is $4,182/year higher in Las Cruces.
How do taxes compare between Tennessee and New Mexico?
Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax. New Mexico has 5.9% income tax, 5.0% sales tax, and 0.67% property tax.
Should I move to Knoxville or Las Cruces?
It depends on your priorities. Knoxville has a cost index of 74 with median rent of $1,116/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 Knoxville details → View Las Cruces details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Knoxville and Las Cruces

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