City Comparison
La Vergne vs Las Cruces
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
La Vergne scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
La Vergne
Las Cruces
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Las Cruces is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
31% lower than in La Vergne.
Housing costs are a major driver: La Vergne's average rent is
81% higher than Las Cruces's.
| Metric | La Vergne | Las Cruces | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,932 | $1,068 | +81% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $198 | -9% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $150 | +60% |
| Monthly Total | $2,872 | $1,986 | +45% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 91 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
La Vergne offers 17% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, La Vergne delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in La Vergne is estimated at
$52,000 vs $64,000 in Las Cruces.
| Metric | La Vergne | Las Cruces |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,000 | $52,790 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $64,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,583 idx | 58,011 idx |
| Household Income | $81,313 | $55,422 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
La Vergne runs warmer on average — a 61.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, La Vergne comes out ahead with 226 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — La Vergne sees 6.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | La Vergne | Las Cruces |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 61.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 88.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 32.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 62.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 6.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 226 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 4.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Las Cruces has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to La Vergne.
La Vergne scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, La Vergne leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | La Vergne | Las Cruces |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 34.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 58.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Las Cruces is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of La Vergne.
From a growth perspective, La Vergne is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, La Vergne has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | La Vergne | Las Cruces |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 42,146 | 116,998 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.82% | 0.99% |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 33.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.10% | 4.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
La Vergne
Advantages
Ranked as Tennessee's 'Freest City' for pro-business policies, low property taxes, and minimal regulatory red tape per the Beacon Center
Strategic location along I-24 providing swift access to Nashville and major regional employment hubs
Robust local economy driven by advanced manufacturing, logistics, and major employers like Bridgestone and Ingram Book
Proximity to Percy Priest Lake and Veterans Memorial Park offers abundant water recreation and green spaces
No state personal income tax in Tennessee, maximizing take-home pay for local workers
Drawbacks
Heavy reliance on automobiles results in notable peak-hour traffic congestion along Interstate 24
Average commute times can stretch longer than the national norm due to regional commuter volume
Rapid regional population growth has put upward pressure on local housing prices and rental rates
Limited public transportation infrastructure within the city limits forces total car dependency
Poverty rate sits slightly above the national average in specific pockets despite strong overall median incomes
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.
La Vergne
#61Tennessee, USA
70.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,932
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
226/yr
Avg Temp
61.70°F
Pop. Growth
1.82%
Unemployment
3.10%
Livability
74
Business
82
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
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