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City Report · NM

Las Cruces

Pop. 114,197·10th most expensive in New Mexico·Las Cruces rents are up 12.2% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,424/mo
Year-over-Year
+12.2%
Month-over-Month
-0.7%
vs US Median
-$541
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Las Cruces · $1,424
More affordable than 80% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
56/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 3% below what Las Cruces's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$1,424/mo
Expected by trend
$1,466/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Las Cruces's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$800
1 BR
$1,016
2 BR
$1,124
3 BR
$1,562
4 BR+
$1,732
Research median
$1,124/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$17,088/yr
At $1,424/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 12.2% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+12.2% YoY, -0.7% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Las Cruces, NM is majority owner-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 36.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
114,197
Median income
$55,422
Median age
33
Renters
44.1%
Age distribution
22.4%
30%
21.5%
16.3%
Under 1822.4%
18–3430%
35–5421.5%
55–649.7%
65+16.3%
Gender
49.3%
50.7%
Male49.3%
Female50.7%
Race & ethnicity
47.1%
60.3%
White47.1%
Black2.5%
Hispanic60.3%
Asian1.8%
Education (25+)
21.2%
30.8%
36.7%
No HS diploma11.3%
HS diploma21.2%
Some college30.8%
Bachelor's+36.7%
Housing tenure
55.9%
44.1%
Owner55.9%
Renter44.1%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Las Cruces, NM has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,008 → $1,424
up 41.3%
Income
$47,722 → $55,422
up 16.1%
Population
109,934 → 114,197
up 3.9%
Renter share
43.8% → 44.1%
+0.3 pts
Bachelor's+
36.4% → 36.7%
+0.3 pts

Compared with 2021, rent in Las Cruces, NM has increased by $416 per month, settling near $1,424 after starting the period at $1,008. Census figures show median household income at $55,422 today, compared with $47,722 five years earlier. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 25.2 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 109,934 to 114,197 between 2021 and 2024, a 3.9% change. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.

Community

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View Las Cruces rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Las Cruces on your salary?

At $1,424/mo, how Las Cruces rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Las Cruces rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Las Cruces. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Las Cruces

About renting in Las Cruces, NM

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Las Cruces is $1,424/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $800/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,124/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,016/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,562/mo.

At 31% of local median household income ($55,422/yr), Las Cruces ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 12.2% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Las Cruces an affordable city for renters?

Las Cruces is considered moderate for renters. At $1,424/mo, rent takes approximately 31% of the local median household income ($55,422/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Las Cruces slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Las Cruces?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $57,000/year (~$27/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,424/mo in Las Cruces. The local median household income is $55,422/yr, meaning the typical Las Cruces household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Las Cruces?

Rent in Las Cruces has increased 12.2% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Las Cruces neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Las Cruces are 88007 ($970/mo), 88001 ($971/mo), and 88005 ($1,118/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Las Cruces is $1,424/mo.

How does Las Cruces rent compare to other cities in New Mexico?

Las Cruces is one of the more affordable cities in New Mexico for rent, ranking #10 out of 15 tracked cities at $1,424/mo.

What percentage of Las Cruces residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 44.1% of Las Cruces households are renters, while 55.9% are owner-occupied. Las Cruces leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Las Cruces rent compare to the national average?

Las Cruces's median rent of $1,424/mo is $541 (28%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within New Mexico, it ranks #10 out of 15 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
31%
MODERATE

At $1,424/mo, rent takes ~31% of Las Cruces's median household income ($55,422/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Las Cruces 31%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1.7–5.9%
Run the Las Cruces affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Las Cruces
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Las Cruces, NM

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