Las Cruces vs Missoula
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Las Cruces
Missoula
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 27.0%, with Las Cruces being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Las Cruces has equivalent purchasing power to $102,679 in Missoula.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Las Cruces has the same purchasing power as $102,679 in Missoula.
Conversely, $75,000 in Missoula equals $54,783 in Las Cruces.
Living in Las Cruces vs Missoula
Housing Costs
Las Cruces's housing index of 82 is lower Missoula's 141, translating to median home prices of $232,000 vs $460,000. The $228,000 difference in home prices means roughly $14,820 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Las Cruces compared to $1,400/mo in Missoula, a monthly difference of $400.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Las Cruces and 103 in Missoula. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Las Cruces vs $489/month in Missoula. Las Cruces offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 81 in Las Cruces and 89 in Missoula. Monthly utility bills average approximately $324 in Las Cruces vs $356 in Missoula. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 113 in Las Cruces and 102 in Missoula. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $55,400 in Las Cruces and $49,234 in Missoula. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,952 and $42,812 respectively. Las Cruces residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,293/month to housing in Las Cruces vs $1,149/month in Missoula. In Las Cruces, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Missoula, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 59 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases