The minimum wage in Las Cruces is $12.00/hour in 2026. See how it compares to the MIT living wage of $18.50/hour and local cost of living.
Last updated: May 2026 · Data: MIT Living Wage Calculator, C2ER, U.S. Census, BLS, IRS, state and city sources
Calculate annual, monthly, and weekly income at any hourly wage in Las Cruces.
The minimum wage in Las Cruces is the New Mexico statewide minimum of $12.00/hour. Las Cruces follows the New Mexico statewide minimum wage of $12.00/hour as the baseline for most employers. The bigger question for most workers is how that compares to what it actually costs to live in Las Cruces. With average 1-bedroom rent near $950/month and a cost-of-living index of 85 (US average = 100), the gap between the minimum wage and a true living wage is significant.
| Benchmark (Las Cruces, 2026) | Hourly | Annual (full-time) |
|---|---|---|
| Applicable minimum wage | $12.00 | $24,960 |
| MIT living wage (single adult) | $18.50 | $38,480 |
| MIT living wage (family of four, one earner) | $38.00 | $79,040 |
| Federal minimum wage | $7.25 | $15,080 |
| Average rent (1-bedroom, annual) | - | $11,400 |
Living wage figures: MIT Living Wage Calculator for Dona Ana County. Minimum wage reflects the rate applicable to most private employers in Las Cruces.
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.
The minimum wage in Las Cruces is the New Mexico statewide minimum of $12.00/hour. Las Cruces follows the New Mexico statewide minimum wage of $12.00/hour as the baseline for most employers. A full-time worker (40 hours/week, 52 weeks) earns about $24,960 per year gross before taxes at that rate.
Not for a single adult. The MIT Living Wage Calculator estimates a single adult in Dona Ana County needs about $18.50/hour (roughly $38,480/year) to cover basic costs. That is $6.50/hour above the applicable minimum wage, and a one-earner family of four needs closer to $38.00/hour.
At $12.00/hour, full-time work (2,080 hours/year) produces about $24,960 gross. Part-time at 30 hours/week is roughly $18,720/year. Average 1-bedroom rent in Las Cruces is about $950/month, or $11,400/year.
Las Cruces follows the New Mexico statewide minimum wage of $12.00/hour as the baseline for most employers.
The federal minimum wage is $7.25/hour and has not changed since 2009. New Mexico has set a state minimum wage of $12.00/hour, above the federal floor, and some cities such as Albuquerque set a higher local rate, so the applicable rate applies in Las Cruces.