CostIndexUSA

Fort Collins, CO vs Las Cruces, NM Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CO
Fort Collins
101.1
overall index
$1,875/mo rent
More AffordableNM
Las Cruces
90.2
overall index
$1,375/mo rent

Las Cruces is moderately cheaper than Fort Collins — 10.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Fort Collins, you would need $71,400 in Las Cruces. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing47.8%
Fort Collins
120.6
Las Cruces
63
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Fort Collins
96.1
Las Cruces
96.1
🚗 Transportation1.2%
Fort Collins
104.8
Las Cruces
103.5
🏥 Healthcare1.3%
Fort Collins
94.8
Las Cruces
93.6
Utilities5.2%
Fort Collins
82.2
Las Cruces
77.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Fort Collins to see what you'd need to earn in Las Cruces to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Las Cruces, NM
$71,400
$8,600 less needed in Las Cruces

Formula: salary × (90.2 ÷ 101.1) = salary × 0.8922. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Fort Collins, CO

Median Home Price
$540,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,875
Housing Index
120.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
24.0×

Las Cruces, NM

Median Home Price
$282,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,375
Housing Index
63
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.1×

Fort Collins has 47.8% lower housing costs compared to Las Cruces.

Income & Job Market

Fort Collins, CO

Median Household Income
$88,200
Per Capita Income
$50,300
Unemployment Rate
4.5%
Population
164,672
Top Industries
TechnologyEducationHealthcareAgricultureManufacturing

Las Cruces, NM

Median Household Income
$56,500
Per Capita Income
$32,200
Unemployment Rate
5.6%
Population
111,385
Top Industries
EducationGovernmentHealthcareMilitaryRetail

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Fort Collins, CO
3.9×income-to-rent ratio

74% of income left after rent (median)

Las Cruces, NM
3.4×income-to-rent ratio

71% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.