Build your monthly budget for Las Cruces. The calculator is pre-filled with realistic local expenses, including $950 average rent, so you can see your savings rate against the 50/30/20 rule.
Last updated: May 2026 · Data: MIT Living Wage Calculator, C2ER, U.S. Census, BLS, IRS, state and city sources
Las Cruces has a cost-of-living index of 85 (US average = 100). Housing is usually the largest line item, with average 1-bedroom rent near $950/month. The estimates below are pre-filled in the calculator and scaled to local costs.
| Expense Category | Typical Las Cruces Amount |
|---|---|
| Housing (1-bedroom rent) | $950/month |
| Food (single person) | $375/month |
| Transportation | $475/month |
| Utilities & Internet | $160/month |
| Healthcare & Insurance | $320/month |
| Personal & Entertainment | $200/month |
| Recommended Savings | 15%+ of gross income |
| Emergency Fund Target | 3 to 6 months of expenses |
Las Cruces is the second-largest city in New Mexico, in the Mesilla Valley near the Texas and Mexico borders, home to New Mexico State University, with an economy built on higher education, agriculture (especially pecans and chile), healthcare, and nearby White Sands Missile Range.
| Local Metric | Las Cruces (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Metro population | 115,000 |
| County / jurisdiction | Dona Ana County |
| Cost of living index (US avg = 100) | 85 |
| MIT living wage, single adult | $18.50/hour |
| MIT living wage, one earner supporting a family of four | $38.00/hour |
| Applicable minimum wage | $12.00/hour |
| Average rent, 1-bedroom | $950/month |
| Average rent, 2-bedroom | $1,150/month |
| Median home price | $280,000 |
| Median household income | $50,000/year |
| Combined Gross Receipts Tax rate | 8.31% |
| Effective property tax rate | 0.8% of value/year |
Local figures are 2026 estimates compiled from the MIT Living Wage Calculator, the C2ER Cost of Living Index, U.S. Census and Zillow housing data, and city and county sources. Verify current figures before relying on them.
With a cost-of-living index of 85 (US average = 100) and average 1-bedroom rent near $950/month, a single adult in Las Cruces typically needs take-home pay of at least $3,250/month to cover needs and save. The MIT living wage for a single adult is about $18.50/hour.
Split after-tax income into 50% needs (housing, food, utilities, transport, minimum debt), 30% wants, and 20% savings and extra debt payoff. In a high-cost city like Las Cruces, the needs share often runs above 50%, so protect the 20% savings target.
Average rent in Las Cruces is about $950 for a 1-bedroom and $1,150 for a 2-bedroom. A common guideline keeps rent under 30% of gross income, though that is difficult in higher-cost metros.
Based on the local cost-of-living index, typical monthly expenses in Las Cruces run around $950 housing, $375 food, $475 transportation, and $160 utilities for a single person. The calculator is pre-filled with these estimates.
Aim for three to six months of essential expenses. In Las Cruces, with monthly needs around $2,280, that is roughly $6,840 to $13,680.