Cost of Living: St. Paul, MN vs Las Cruces, NM (2026)

St. Paul

Minnesota
91
VS

Las Cruces

New Mexico
68

St. Paul is 34% more expensive than Las Cruces.

$1,248/mo ↑ 32%
Median Rent
$946/mo ↓ 24%
$73,055/yr ↑ 32%
Median Income
$55,176/yr ↓ 24%
$280,300 ↑ 29%
Home Value
$217,400 ↓ 22%
$1,390/mo ↑ 43%
Owner Costs
$974/mo ↓ 30%
307,762
Population
112,612

Tax Comparison

9.85%
Income Tax
5.9%
6.875%
State Sales Tax
5.0%
1.11%
Property Tax
0.67%

Affordability

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

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Paul, MN and Las Cruces, NM, the overall cost of living indices are 91 and 68 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $302/month cheaper in Las Cruces, saving renters about $3,624/year.

Median household income is $17,879/year higher in St. Paul. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Paul is $280,300 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

St. Paul vs Las Cruces — common questions

Is St. Paul 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 91 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Paul and Las Cruces?
Median rent in St. Paul is $1,248/month and in Las Cruces it's $946/month — a difference of $302/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Paul or Las Cruces?
Median household income is $73,055 in St. Paul and $55,176 in Las Cruces. Median household income is $17,879/year higher in St. Paul.
How do taxes compare between Minnesota and New Mexico?
Minnesota has 9.85% income tax, 6.875% sales tax, and 1.11% property tax. New Mexico has 5.9% income tax, 5.0% sales tax, and 0.67% property tax.
Should I move to St. Paul or Las Cruces?
It depends on your priorities. St. Paul has a cost index of 91 with median rent of $1,248/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. Paul details → View Las Cruces details →

More Comparisons

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

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