Cost of Living Comparison Between Seattle, WA and Las Cruces, NM Cost of Living Comparison Between Seattle, WA and Las Cruces, NM

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,583 per month in Seattle, WA vs $1,914 in Las Cruces, NM, rent included.

A couple spends around $5,632 per month in Seattle, WA vs $2,870 in Las Cruces, NM, rent included.

A family of three spends $7,681 per month in Seattle, WA vs $3,826 in Las Cruces, NM, rent included.

Seattle, WA costs about 87% more than Las Cruces, NM, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Seattle, WA and Las Cruces, NM sit above the global median – Seattle, WA by 168%, Las Cruces, NM by 43%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$24.97 $24.97

$19.71 $19.71

26.69%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$119 $119

$47.33 $47.33

152.25%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.90 $13.90

$12.06 $12.06

15.26%

Cappuccino

$5.56 $5.56

$5.31 $5.31

4.71%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.06 $3.06

$2.64 $2.64

15.91%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$1.88 $1.88

31.38%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.96 $7.96

$4.86 $4.86

63.79%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.01 $8.01

$6.02 $6.02

33.06%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.34 $1.34

$0.75 $0.75

78.67%

White Bread (500g)

$5.05 $5.05

$2.43 $2.43

107.82%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.36 $5.36

$2.59 $2.59

106.95%

Eggs

$6.59 $6.59

$3.17 $3.17

107.89%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$25.31 $25.31

$11.29 $11.29

124.18%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$16.19 $16.19

$11.33 $11.33

42.89%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$20.30 $20.30

$12.37 $12.37

64.11%

Apples (1kg)

$5.97 $5.97

$3.92 $3.92

52.30%

Banana (1kg)

$2.74 $2.74

$1.32 $1.32

107.58%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.36 $5.36

$3.79 $3.79

41.42%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.61 $6.61

$2.46 $2.46

168.70%

Potato (1kg)

$3.25 $3.25

$2.02 $2.02

60.89%

Onion (1kg)

$3.79 $3.79

$2.32 $2.32

63.36%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.73 $2.73

$1.83 $1.83

49.18%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.53 $2.53

$1.30 $1.30

94.62%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.31 $11.31

$8.10 $8.10

39.63%

Wine (Bottle)

$16.28 $16.28

$14.72 $14.72

10.60%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.85 $2.85

$2.14 $2.14

33.18%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.16 $4.16

$3.23 $3.23

28.79%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.69 $2.69

$4.53 $4.53

-40.62%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$97.1 $97.1

$31.73 $31.73

205.96%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.71 $2.71

$1.67 $1.67

62.28%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.73 $1.73

$2.90 $2.90

-40.34%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.46 $29.46

$26.82 $26.82

9.84%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.20 $1.20

$0.76 $0.76

57.89%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$33.6K $33.6K

$23.4K $23.4K

43.44%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$26.0K $26.0K

$23.6K $23.6K

10.20%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$266 $266

$126 $126

111.30%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$60.4 $60.4

$53.0 $53.0

14.10%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$76.2 $76.2

$70.6 $70.6

7.96%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$79.2 $79.2

$39.48 $39.48

100.51%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$40.51 $40.51

$19.36 $19.36

109.25%

Cinema Ticket

$16.22 $16.22

$9.80 $9.80

65.51%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$2,280 $2,280

$443 $443

414.34%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$29.6K $29.6K

$7,017 $7,017

321.48%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$69.6 $69.6

$39.41 $39.41

76.63%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.6 $52.6

$31.58 $31.58

66.43%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$120 $120

$74.3 $74.3

61.06%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$143 $143

$99.3 $99.3

43.76%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,378 $2,378

$997 $997

138.39%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,866 $1,866

$771 $771

142.19%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,724 $4,724

$1,832 $1,832

157.92%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,510 $3,510

$1,419 $1,419

147.46%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$7,711 $7,711

$1,968 $1,968

291.92%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$5,381 $5,381

$2,022 $2,022

166.06%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$6,493 $6,493

$3,641 $3,641

78.32%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.42

6.51

-1.38%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Seattle, WA: April 27, 2026

Last update for Las Cruces, NM: April 27, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,378 in Seattle, WA versus $997 in Las Cruces, NM. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 78% higher in Seattle, WA, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $119 in Seattle, WA versus $47.00 in Las Cruces, NM. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $544 vs $318 – making Las Cruces, NM the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Seattle, WA vs Las Cruces, NM: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Seattle, WA costs about 87% more than Las Cruces, NM, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $5,374 per month in Seattle, WA and $2,871 in Las Cruces, NM. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Las Cruces, NM, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Kindergarten costs $2,280 per month in Seattle, WA and $443 in Las Cruces, NM. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 71% more in Seattle, WA, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Las Cruces, NM, where all-in costs run around $1,914, than in Seattle, WA at $3,583. In Las Cruces, NM it covers expenses comfortably, while in Seattle, WA it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Las Cruces, NM costs $1,914 versus $3,583 in Seattle, WA. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

If budget matters most, go with Las Cruces, NM. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Seattle, WA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.