Cost of Living: The Woodlands, TX vs Las Cruces, NM (2026)

The Woodlands

Texas
139
VS

Las Cruces

New Mexico
68

The Woodlands is 104% more expensive than Las Cruces.

$1,792/mo ↑ 89%
Median Rent
$946/mo ↓ 47%
$141,353/yr ↑ 156%
Median Income
$55,176/yr ↓ 61%
$479,400 ↑ 121%
Home Value
$217,400 ↓ 55%
$2,005/mo ↑ 106%
Owner Costs
$974/mo ↓ 51%
116,916
Population
112,612

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

15.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing The Woodlands, TX and Las Cruces, NM, the overall cost of living indices are 139 and 68 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $846/month cheaper in Las Cruces, saving renters about $10,152/year.

Median household income is $86,177/year higher in The Woodlands. Home values also differ significantly — the median in The Woodlands is $479,400 compared to $217,400 in Las Cruces.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

The Woodlands vs Las Cruces — common questions

Is The Woodlands 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 139 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between The Woodlands and Las Cruces?
Median rent in The Woodlands is $1,792/month and in Las Cruces it's $946/month — a difference of $846/month.
Which city has higher income, The Woodlands or Las Cruces?
Median household income is $141,353 in The Woodlands and $55,176 in Las Cruces. Median household income is $86,177/year higher in The Woodlands.
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 The Woodlands or Las Cruces?
It depends on your priorities. The Woodlands has a cost index of 139 with median rent of $1,792/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 The Woodlands details → View Las Cruces details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for The Woodlands and Las Cruces

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