City Comparison

Las Cruces vs Toledo

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

Toledo

Ohio
77
Very Affordable
$128,000
Median Home
$825/mo
Median Rent
$42,200
Median Income

The Verdict

9.1%

The cost gap between these cities is 9.1%, with Toledo being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Las Cruces has equivalent purchasing power to $68,750 in Toledo.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
82
Las Cruces
55
Toledo
Groceries
97
Las Cruces
98
Toledo
Utilities
81
Las Cruces
92
Toledo
Transportation
92
Las Cruces
101
Toledo
Healthcare
113
Las Cruces
84
Toledo

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Las Cruces has the same purchasing power as $68,750 in Toledo.

Conversely, $75,000 in Toledo equals $81,818 in Las Cruces.

Living in Las Cruces vs Toledo

Housing Costs

Las Cruces's housing index of 82 is higher Toledo's 55, translating to median home prices of $232,000 vs $128,000. The $104,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,756 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Las Cruces compared to $825/mo in Toledo, a monthly difference of $175.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Las Cruces and 98 in Toledo. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Las Cruces vs $466/month in Toledo. 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 92 in Toledo. Monthly utility bills average approximately $324 in Las Cruces vs $368 in Toledo. 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 84 in Toledo. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 29-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 $42,200 in Toledo. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,952 and $54,805 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 $985/month in Toledo. In Las Cruces, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Toledo, median rent of $825/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 29 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Toledo is 9.1% more affordable overall with an index of 77 vs 84.
A $75,000 salary in Las Cruces has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $68,750 in Toledo, based on the cost of living difference.
Las Cruces's housing index is 82 with median homes at $232,000, while Toledo's is 55 with median homes at $128,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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