Cost of Living: St. Louis, MO vs Las Cruces, NM (2026)

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Las Cruces

New Mexico
68

St. Louis and Las Cruces have a similar cost of living.

$978/mo ↑ 3%
Median Rent
$946/mo ↓ 3%
$55,279/yr ≈ Same
Median Income
$55,176/yr ≈ Same
$185,100 ↓ 15%
Home Value
$217,400 ↑ 17%
$1,013/mo ↑ 4%
Owner Costs
$974/mo ↓ 4%
293,109
Population
112,612

Tax Comparison

4.95%
Income Tax
5.9%
4.225%
State Sales Tax
5.0%
0.93%
Property Tax
0.67%

Affordability

21.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Las Cruces, NM, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 68 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is comparable in both cities, with less than $50/month separating them.

Median household income is $103/year higher in St. Louis. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $217,400 in Las Cruces.

Missouri has a lower income tax rate, making St. Louis slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Las Cruces — common questions

Is St. Louis or Las Cruces cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Louis is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 68 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Las Cruces?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Las Cruces it's $946/month — a difference of $32/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Las Cruces?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $55,176 in Las Cruces. Median household income is $103/year higher in St. Louis.
How do taxes compare between Missouri and New Mexico?
Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax. New Mexico has 5.9% income tax, 5.0% sales tax, and 0.67% property tax.
Should I move to St. Louis or Las Cruces?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/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 St. Louis details → View Las Cruces details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Louis and Las Cruces

St. Louis vs. Greensboro St. Louis vs. Lincoln St. Louis vs. Pittsburgh St. Louis vs. Jersey City St. Louis vs. Newark St. Louis vs. Anchorage Las Cruces vs. Gresham Las Cruces vs. Lansing Las Cruces vs. Beaumont Las Cruces vs. Pompano Beach Las Cruces vs. Springfield Las Cruces vs. Peoria