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

Missouri
84
Very Affordable
$225,000
Median Home
$950/mo
Median Rent
$46,000
Median Income

The Verdict

0.0%

Living in Las Cruces costs 0.0% less than Springfield. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Las Cruces, you would need $75,000 in Springfield.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
82
Las Cruces
67
Springfield
Groceries
97
Las Cruces
94
Springfield
Utilities
81
Las Cruces
79
Springfield
Transportation
92
Las Cruces
90
Springfield
Healthcare
113
Las Cruces
116
Springfield

Salary Equivalence

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

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

Living in Las Cruces vs Springfield

Housing Costs

Las Cruces's housing index of 82 is higher Springfield's 67, translating to median home prices of $232,000 vs $225,000. The $7,000 difference in home prices means roughly $456 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Las Cruces compared to $950/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $50.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Las Cruces and 94 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Las Cruces vs $447/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 79 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $324 in Las Cruces vs $316 in Springfield. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 113 in Las Cruces and 116 in Springfield. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $55,400 in Las Cruces and $46,000 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,952 and $54,762 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 $1,073/month in Springfield. In Las Cruces, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Springfield, median rent of $950/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 15 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Las Cruces is 0.0% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 84.
A $75,000 salary in Las Cruces has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $75,000 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 67 with median homes at $225,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases