Cost of Living: Tampa, FL vs Las Cruces, NM (2026)

Tampa

Florida
113
VS

Las Cruces

New Mexico
68

Tampa is 66% more expensive than Las Cruces.

$1,567/mo ↑ 66%
Median Rent
$946/mo ↓ 40%
$71,302/yr ↑ 29%
Median Income
$55,176/yr ↓ 23%
$375,300 ↑ 73%
Home Value
$217,400 ↓ 42%
$1,553/mo ↑ 59%
Owner Costs
$974/mo ↓ 37%
393,389
Population
112,612

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.9%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
5.0%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.67%

Affordability

26.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Tampa, FL and Las Cruces, NM, the overall cost of living indices are 113 and 68 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $621/month cheaper in Las Cruces, saving renters about $7,452/year.

Median household income is $16,126/year higher in Tampa. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Tampa is $375,300 compared to $217,400 in Las Cruces.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Tampa vs Las Cruces — common questions

Is Tampa 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 113 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Tampa and Las Cruces?
Median rent in Tampa is $1,567/month and in Las Cruces it's $946/month — a difference of $621/month.
Which city has higher income, Tampa or Las Cruces?
Median household income is $71,302 in Tampa and $55,176 in Las Cruces. Median household income is $16,126/year higher in Tampa.
How do taxes compare between Florida and New Mexico?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. New Mexico has 5.9% income tax, 5.0% sales tax, and 0.67% property tax.
Should I move to Tampa or Las Cruces?
It depends on your priorities. Tampa has a cost index of 113 with median rent of $1,567/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 Tampa details → View Las Cruces details →

More Comparisons

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