Cost of Living: San Francisco, CA vs Las Cruces, NM (2026)

San Francisco

California
267
VS

Las Cruces

New Mexico
68

San Francisco is 293% more expensive than Las Cruces.

$2,419/mo ↑ 156%
Median Rent
$946/mo ↓ 61%
$141,446/yr ↑ 156%
Median Income
$55,176/yr ↓ 61%
$1,380,500 ↑ 535%
Home Value
$217,400 ↓ 84%
$2,620/mo ↑ 169%
Owner Costs
$974/mo ↓ 63%
836,321
Population
112,612

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
5.9%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
5.0%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.67%

Affordability

20.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Francisco, CA and Las Cruces, NM, the overall cost of living indices are 267 and 68 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,473/month cheaper in Las Cruces, saving renters about $17,676/year.

Median household income is $86,270/year higher in San Francisco. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Francisco is $1,380,500 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

San Francisco vs Las Cruces — common questions

Is San Francisco 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 267 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Francisco and Las Cruces?
Median rent in San Francisco is $2,419/month and in Las Cruces it's $946/month — a difference of $1,473/month.
Which city has higher income, San Francisco or Las Cruces?
Median household income is $141,446 in San Francisco and $55,176 in Las Cruces. Median household income is $86,270/year higher in San Francisco.
How do taxes compare between California and New Mexico?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. New Mexico has 5.9% income tax, 5.0% sales tax, and 0.67% property tax.
Should I move to San Francisco or Las Cruces?
It depends on your priorities. San Francisco has a cost index of 267 with median rent of $2,419/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.
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More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for San Francisco and Las Cruces

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