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

Omaha

Nebraska
80
VS

Las Cruces

New Mexico
68

Omaha is 18% more expensive than Las Cruces.

$1,150/mo ↑ 22%
Median Rent
$946/mo ↓ 18%
$72,708/yr ↑ 32%
Median Income
$55,176/yr ↓ 24%
$230,100 ↑ 6%
Home Value
$217,400 ↓ 6%
$1,249/mo ↑ 28%
Owner Costs
$974/mo ↓ 22%
488,197
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

19.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Omaha, NE and Las Cruces, NM, the overall cost of living indices are 80 and 68 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $204/month cheaper in Las Cruces, saving renters about $2,448/year.

Median household income is $17,532/year higher in Omaha. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Omaha is $230,100 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

Omaha vs Las Cruces — common questions

Is Omaha 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 80 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Omaha and Las Cruces?
Median rent in Omaha is $1,150/month and in Las Cruces it's $946/month — a difference of $204/month.
Which city has higher income, Omaha or Las Cruces?
Median household income is $72,708 in Omaha and $55,176 in Las Cruces. Median household income is $17,532/year higher in Omaha.
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 Omaha or Las Cruces?
It depends on your priorities. Omaha has a cost index of 80 with median rent of $1,150/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 Omaha details → View Las Cruces details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Omaha and Las Cruces

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