City Comparison

Irving vs Las Cruces

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Irving

Texas
100
Average
$318,000
Median Home
$1,350/mo
Median Rent
$73,400
Median Income

Las Cruces

New Mexico
84
Very Affordable
$232,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$55,400
Median Income

The Verdict

19.0%

The cost gap between these cities is 19.0%, with Las Cruces being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Irving has equivalent purchasing power to $63,000 in Las Cruces.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
94
Irving
82
Las Cruces
Groceries
99
Irving
97
Las Cruces
Utilities
111
Irving
81
Las Cruces
Transportation
97
Irving
92
Las Cruces
Healthcare
103
Irving
113
Las Cruces

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Irving has the same purchasing power as $63,000 in Las Cruces.

Conversely, $75,000 in Las Cruces equals $89,286 in Irving.

Living in Irving vs Las Cruces

Housing Costs

Irving's housing index of 94 is higher Las Cruces's 82, translating to median home prices of $318,000 vs $232,000. The $86,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,592 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,350/mo in Irving compared to $1,000/mo in Las Cruces, a monthly difference of $350.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Irving and 97 in Las Cruces. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Irving vs $461/month in Las Cruces. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 111 in Irving and 81 in Las Cruces. Monthly utility bills average approximately $444 in Irving vs $324 in Las Cruces. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 103 in Irving and 113 in Las Cruces. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $73,400 in Irving and $55,400 in Las Cruces. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $73,400 and $65,952 respectively. Irving residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,713/month to housing in Irving vs $1,293/month in Las Cruces. In Irving, median rent of $1,350/mo fits within this budget. In Las Cruces, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 30 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Las Cruces is 19.0% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 100.
A $75,000 salary in Irving has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $63,000 in Las Cruces, based on the cost of living difference.
Irving's housing index is 94 with median homes at $318,000, while Las Cruces's is 82 with median homes at $232,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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