Cost of Living: Lincoln, NE vs Las Cruces, NM (2026)

Lincoln

Nebraska
77
VS

Las Cruces

New Mexico
68

Lincoln is 13% more expensive than Las Cruces.

$1,045/mo ↑ 10%
Median Rent
$946/mo ↓ 9%
$69,991/yr ↑ 27%
Median Income
$55,176/yr ↓ 21%
$248,200 ↑ 14%
Home Value
$217,400 ↓ 12%
$1,140/mo ↑ 17%
Owner Costs
$974/mo ↓ 15%
291,932
Population
112,612

Tax Comparison

6.64%
Income Tax
5.9%
5.5%
State Sales Tax
5.0%
1.73%
Property Tax
0.67%

Affordability

17.9%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Lincoln, NE and Las Cruces, NM, the overall cost of living indices are 77 and 68 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $99/month cheaper in Las Cruces, saving renters about $1,188/year.

Median household income is $14,815/year higher in Lincoln. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Lincoln is $248,200 compared to $217,400 in Las Cruces.

New Mexico has a lower income tax rate, making Las Cruces slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Lincoln vs Las Cruces — common questions

Is Lincoln 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 77 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Lincoln and Las Cruces?
Median rent in Lincoln is $1,045/month and in Las Cruces it's $946/month — a difference of $99/month.
Which city has higher income, Lincoln or Las Cruces?
Median household income is $69,991 in Lincoln and $55,176 in Las Cruces. Median household income is $14,815/year higher in Lincoln.
How do taxes compare between Nebraska and New Mexico?
Nebraska has 6.64% income tax, 5.5% sales tax, and 1.73% property tax. New Mexico has 5.9% income tax, 5.0% sales tax, and 0.67% property tax.
Should I move to Lincoln or Las Cruces?
It depends on your priorities. Lincoln has a cost index of 77 with median rent of $1,045/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 Lincoln details → View Las Cruces details →

More Comparisons

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