City Comparison

Las Cruces vs Springfield

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

Springfield

Illinois
78
Very Affordable
$162,000
Median Home
$925/mo
Median Rent
$65,500
Median Income

The Verdict

7.7%

Springfield is 7.7% less expensive than Las Cruces overall. A household earning $75,000 in Las Cruces would need approximately $69,643 in Springfield to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
82
Las Cruces
52
Springfield
Groceries
97
Las Cruces
98
Springfield
Utilities
81
Las Cruces
98
Springfield
Transportation
92
Las Cruces
114
Springfield
Healthcare
113
Las Cruces
91
Springfield

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Las Cruces has the same purchasing power as $69,643 in Springfield.

Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $80,769 in Las Cruces.

Living in Las Cruces vs Springfield

Housing Costs

Las Cruces's housing index of 82 is higher Springfield's 52, translating to median home prices of $232,000 vs $162,000. The $70,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,548 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Las Cruces compared to $925/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $75.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Las Cruces and 98 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Las Cruces vs $466/month in Springfield. 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 98 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $324 in Las Cruces vs $392 in Springfield. 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 91 in Springfield. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 22-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 $65,500 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,952 and $83,974 respectively. Springfield 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 $1,528/month in Springfield. In Las Cruces, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Springfield, median rent of $925/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 30 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springfield is 7.7% more affordable overall with an index of 78 vs 84.
A $75,000 salary in Las Cruces has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $69,643 in Springfield, based on the cost of living difference.
Las Cruces's housing index is 82 with median homes at $232,000, while Springfield's is 52 with median homes at $162,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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