City vs city
Las Cruces, NM vs Odessa, TX
- Rent is 35% lower in Las Cruces (median $974/mo vs $1,315/mo in Odessa).
- Homes cost 4% less in Odessa ($223k vs $232k median value).
- On a $75k salary, you'd have about $144 more a month after taxes and rent in Las Cruces.
- Odessa has no state income tax on wages; Las Cruces does.
- Schools rate higher in Las Cruces (2.7/10 vs 2.1/10).
- Odessa has less violent crime (2.9 vs 5 per 1,000 residents; the US rate is 3.6).
| Las Cruces | Odessa | |
|---|---|---|
| Median rent | $974/mo | $1,315/mo |
| Median home value | $232k | $223k |
| Median household income | $55k | $73k |
| Left each month on $75k (after taxes and rent) | $3,962 | $3,818 |
| State income tax on wages | Yes | None |
| School rating | 2.7/10 | 2.1/10 |
| Violent crime | 1.4× the US rate | 19% below the US rate |
| Summer average | 96°F | 95°F |
| Winter average | 44°F | 45°F |
| Sunny days a year | 265 | 251 |
| Walk score | 49 | 43 |
| Population | 114,197 | 115,322 |
Population, income, home value and rent: U.S. Census Bureau ACS. Taxes: single filer, 2026 federal and state rates, before any city income tax. Violent crime per 1,000 residents; US rate 3.6.
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