Cost of Living: Olathe, KS vs Las Cruces, NM (2026)

Olathe

Kansas
104
VS

Las Cruces

New Mexico
68

Olathe is 53% more expensive than Las Cruces.

$1,314/mo ↑ 39%
Median Rent
$946/mo ↓ 28%
$112,232/yr ↑ 103%
Median Income
$55,176/yr ↓ 51%
$340,600 ↑ 57%
Home Value
$217,400 ↓ 36%
$1,662/mo ↑ 71%
Owner Costs
$974/mo ↓ 41%
143,720
Population
112,612

Tax Comparison

5.7%
Income Tax
5.9%
6.5%
State Sales Tax
5.0%
1.41%
Property Tax
0.67%

Affordability

14.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Olathe, KS and Las Cruces, NM, the overall cost of living indices are 104 and 68 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $368/month cheaper in Las Cruces, saving renters about $4,416/year.

Median household income is $57,056/year higher in Olathe. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Olathe is $340,600 compared to $217,400 in Las Cruces.

Kansas has a lower income tax rate, making Olathe slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Olathe vs Las Cruces — common questions

Is Olathe 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 104 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Olathe and Las Cruces?
Median rent in Olathe is $1,314/month and in Las Cruces it's $946/month — a difference of $368/month.
Which city has higher income, Olathe or Las Cruces?
Median household income is $112,232 in Olathe and $55,176 in Las Cruces. Median household income is $57,056/year higher in Olathe.
How do taxes compare between Kansas and New Mexico?
Kansas has 5.7% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 1.41% property tax. New Mexico has 5.9% income tax, 5.0% sales tax, and 0.67% property tax.
Should I move to Olathe or Las Cruces?
It depends on your priorities. Olathe has a cost index of 104 with median rent of $1,314/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 Olathe details → View Las Cruces details →

More Comparisons

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