City Comparison
Chaparral vs Las Cruces
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Chaparral scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Chaparral
Las Cruces
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Chaparral is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
9% lower than in Las Cruces.
Housing costs are a major driver: Chaparral's average rent is
16% lower than Las Cruces's.
| Metric | Chaparral | Las Cruces | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $900 | $1,068 | -16% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $175 | $198 | -12% |
| Transport | $140 | $120 | +17% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $150 | +47% |
| Monthly Total | $1,815 | $1,986 | -9% |
| Cost Index | 84 | 91 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Las Cruces offers 17% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Las Cruces delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Chaparral is estimated at
$42,000 vs $64,000 in Las Cruces.
| Metric | Chaparral | Las Cruces |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $44,000 | $52,790 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $64,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 52,381 idx | 58,011 idx |
| Household Income | $46,017 | $55,422 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Chaparral runs warmer on average — a 65.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Chaparral comes out ahead with 331 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Chaparral sees 2.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Chaparral | Las Cruces |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 65.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 93.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 36.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 8.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 2.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 331 | |
| Humidity | 35.00% | 4.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Las Cruces has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Chaparral.
For walkability, Chaparral leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Chaparral | Las Cruces |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 35.0/100 | 34.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Las Cruces is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Chaparral.
From a growth perspective, Las Cruces is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Las Cruces has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Chaparral | Las Cruces |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 18,186 | 116,998 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.91% | 0.99% |
| Median Age | 31.6 | 33.0 |
| Unemployment | 5.20% | 4.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Chaparral
Advantages
Home values are significantly lower than the U.S. average, with typical properties valued around $228,000 per Zillow data.
Enjoy an abundance of sunshine with approximately 331 sunny days per year under an appealing desert climate.
Strategic location in the Borderplex region offers close proximity to El Paso employment and military bases.
A remarkably young and vibrant community with a median age of 31.6 years per U.S. Census data.
Cost of living and everyday goods are notably cheaper than national benchmarks.
Drawbacks
High car dependency and low walkability scores require long commutes for most employment and shopping needs.
Poverty rates remain elevated, with U.S. Census data recording approximately 27.4% of persons below the poverty line.
Limited local higher education attainment, with only around 10.5% holding a bachelor's degree or higher.
Scarcity of large-scale commercial entertainment, dining, and major healthcare facilities within immediate town limits.
Household median incomes remain well below national medians at roughly $46,017.
Las Cruces
Advantages
The cost of living in Las Cruces is significantly lower than the national average, particularly for housing and utilities. [9, 10, 35, 39]
Las Cruces offers a pleasant climate with abundant sunshine, ideal for outdoor activities year-round. [4, 8, 12 in previous search, 28 in previous search]
The city has a thriving job market with consistent growth in key sectors like healthcare, education, and government. [4, 5, 7, 13, 17, 40]
Las Cruces was ranked 9th among small cities for overall economic growth in a 2025 study, indicating strong economic momentum. [29, 41]
The community is known for its friendly, welcoming atmosphere and rich cultural heritage. [8, 24 in previous search, 30 in previous search]
Drawbacks
Las Cruces has a high crime rate, with violent crime reported to be 68% higher and property crime 153% higher than the national average in 2024. [20]
The city is largely car-dependent, with limited public transit options and a low walkability score. [10, 11, 22]
Some residents report challenges with the quality and access to medical specialists and addiction treatment services. [8, 44 in previous search, 45 in previous search]
Average hourly earnings in Las Cruces are lower than the national average. [41 in previous search, 17]
Traffic congestion can lead to annual delays for drivers. [43 in previous search]
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Chaparral
#375New Mexico, USA
59.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$900
Avg Salary
$44,000
Cost Index
84
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
35.0/100
Sunny Days
331/yr
Avg Temp
65.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.91%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
68
Business
60
Las Cruces
#491New Mexico, USA
53.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,068
Avg Salary
$52,790
Cost Index
91
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
34.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.99%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
78
Business
70
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Chaparral and Las Cruces.
Open Cost Calculator