CostIndexUSA

Las Cruces, NM vs Phoenix, AZ Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableNM
Las Cruces
90.2
overall index
$1,375/mo rent
AZ
Phoenix
103.3
overall index
$1,725/mo rent

Las Cruces is moderately cheaper than Phoenix — 14.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Las Cruces, you would need $91,600 in Phoenix. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+92.4%
Las Cruces
63
Phoenix
121.2
🛒 Groceries1.1%
Las Cruces
96.1
Phoenix
95
🚗 Transportation+5.5%
Las Cruces
103.5
Phoenix
109.2
🏥 Healthcare+5.6%
Las Cruces
93.6
Phoenix
98.8
Utilities+19.8%
Las Cruces
77.9
Phoenix
93.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Phoenix, AZ
$91,600
$11,600 more needed in Phoenix

Formula: salary × (103.3 ÷ 90.2) = salary × 1.1452. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Las Cruces, NM

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

Phoenix, AZ

Median Home Price
$442,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,725
Housing Index
121.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.4×

Phoenix has 92.4% higher housing costs compared to Las Cruces.

Income & Job Market

Las Cruces, NM

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

Phoenix, AZ

Median Household Income
$85,700
Per Capita Income
$48,800
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
1,608,139
Top Industries
TechnologyHealthcareReal EstateTourismFinance

Affordability at a Glance

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

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

71% of income left after rent (median)

Phoenix, AZ
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.