CostIndexUSA

Fresno, CA vs Las Cruces, NM Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Fresno
102.2
overall index
$1,850/mo rent
More AffordableNM
Las Cruces
90.2
overall index
$1,375/mo rent

Las Cruces is moderately cheaper than Fresno — 11.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Fresno, you would need $70,600 in Las Cruces. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing34.2%
Fresno
95.7
Las Cruces
63
🛒 Groceries8.7%
Fresno
105.2
Las Cruces
96.1
🚗 Transportation1.7%
Fresno
105.3
Las Cruces
103.5
🏥 Healthcare1.8%
Fresno
95.3
Las Cruces
93.6
Utilities51.6%
Fresno
161
Las Cruces
77.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Fresno to see what you'd need to earn in Las Cruces to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Las Cruces, NM
$70,600
$9,400 less needed in Las Cruces

Formula: salary × (90.2 ÷ 102.2) = salary × 0.8826. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Fresno, CA

Median Home Price
$401,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,850
Housing Index
95.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.1×

Las Cruces, NM

Median Home Price
$282,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,375
Housing Index
63
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.1×

Fresno has 34.2% lower housing costs compared to Las Cruces.

Income & Job Market

Fresno, CA

Median Household Income
$71,100
Per Capita Income
$40,500
Unemployment Rate
7.4%
Population
542,107
Top Industries
AgricultureHealthcareGovernmentEducationManufacturing

Las Cruces, NM

Median Household Income
$56,500
Per Capita Income
$32,200
Unemployment Rate
5.6%
Population
111,385
Top Industries
EducationGovernmentHealthcareMilitaryRetail

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Fresno, CA
3.2×income-to-rent ratio

69% of income left after rent (median)

Las Cruces, NM
3.4×income-to-rent ratio

71% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.