Cost of Living: San Antonio, TX vs Las Cruces, NM (2026)

San Antonio

Texas
82
VS

Las Cruces

New Mexico
68

San Antonio is 21% more expensive than Las Cruces.

$1,258/mo ↑ 33%
Median Rent
$946/mo ↓ 25%
$62,917/yr ↑ 14%
Median Income
$55,176/yr ↓ 12%
$219,700 ↑ 1%
Home Value
$217,400 ↓ 1%
$1,235/mo ↑ 27%
Owner Costs
$974/mo ↓ 21%
1,458,954
Population
112,612

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.9%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
5.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.67%

Affordability

24.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Antonio, TX and Las Cruces, NM, the overall cost of living indices are 82 and 68 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $312/month cheaper in Las Cruces, saving renters about $3,744/year.

Median household income is $7,741/year higher in San Antonio. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Antonio is $219,700 compared to $217,400 in Las Cruces.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Antonio vs Las Cruces — common questions

Is San Antonio 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 82 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Antonio and Las Cruces?
Median rent in San Antonio is $1,258/month and in Las Cruces it's $946/month — a difference of $312/month.
Which city has higher income, San Antonio or Las Cruces?
Median household income is $62,917 in San Antonio and $55,176 in Las Cruces. Median household income is $7,741/year higher in San Antonio.
How do taxes compare between Texas and New Mexico?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. New Mexico has 5.9% income tax, 5.0% sales tax, and 0.67% property tax.
Should I move to San Antonio or Las Cruces?
It depends on your priorities. San Antonio has a cost index of 82 with median rent of $1,258/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 San Antonio details → View Las Cruces details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for San Antonio and Las Cruces

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