City Comparison

Las Cruces vs Springdale

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Las Cruces

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

Springdale

Arkansas
87
Below Average
$299,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$62,100
Median Income

The Verdict

3.4%

The cost gap between these cities is 3.4%, with Las Cruces being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Las Cruces has equivalent purchasing power to $77,679 in Springdale.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
82
Las Cruces
86
Springdale
Groceries
97
Las Cruces
97
Springdale
Utilities
81
Las Cruces
93
Springdale
Transportation
92
Las Cruces
91
Springdale
Healthcare
113
Las Cruces
82
Springdale

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Las Cruces has the same purchasing power as $77,679 in Springdale.

Conversely, $75,000 in Springdale equals $72,414 in Las Cruces.

Living in Las Cruces vs Springdale

Housing Costs

Las Cruces's housing index of 82 is lower Springdale's 86, translating to median home prices of $232,000 vs $299,000. The $67,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,356 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Las Cruces compared to $1,000/mo in Springdale, a monthly difference of $0.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Las Cruces and 97 in Springdale. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Las Cruces vs $461/month in Springdale. 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 81 in Las Cruces and 93 in Springdale. Monthly utility bills average approximately $324 in Las Cruces vs $372 in Springdale. 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 113 in Las Cruces and 82 in Springdale. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 31-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 $62,100 in Springdale. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,952 and $71,379 respectively. Springdale residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,293/month to housing in Las Cruces vs $1,449/month in Springdale. In Las Cruces, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Springdale, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 31 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Las Cruces is 3.4% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 87.
A $75,000 salary in Las Cruces has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $77,679 in Springdale, based on the cost of living difference.
Las Cruces's housing index is 82 with median homes at $232,000, while Springdale's is 86 with median homes at $299,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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