City Comparison
Lovington vs Las Cruces
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Lovington scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Lovington
Las Cruces
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Las Cruces is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
3% lower than in Lovington.
| Metric | Lovington | Las Cruces | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,150 | $1,068 | +8% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $175 | $198 | -12% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $150 | +53% |
| Monthly Total | $2,045 | $1,986 | +3% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 91 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Lovington offers 10% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Lovington delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Lovington is estimated at
$45,000 vs $64,000 in Las Cruces.
| Metric | Lovington | Las Cruces |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $52,790 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $64,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,909 idx | 58,011 idx |
| Household Income | $54,500 | $55,422 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Lovington runs warmer on average — a 64.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Lovington comes out ahead with 321 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Lovington sees 0.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Lovington | Las Cruces |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 64.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 91.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 33.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 8.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 321 | |
| Humidity | 42.00% | 4.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
For walkability, Lovington leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Lovington | Las Cruces |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 34.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 25.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Las Cruces is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Lovington.
From a growth perspective, Las Cruces is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Lovington | Las Cruces |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,682 | 116,998 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.99% |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 33.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Lovington
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain significantly below the U.S. national average per Census and Zillow data.
Robust employment opportunities tied to the lucrative Permian Basin oil and gas industry.
Abundant sunshine averaging over 320 sunny days per year, ideal for outdoor activities.
Short average commute times with minimal traffic congestion compared to metropolitan areas.
Tight-knit community with a strong cultural heritage and active local civic life.
Drawbacks
High dependence on the volatile oil and gas sector can create economic cyclicality.
Extremely limited public transportation options, requiring total car dependency.
Very low annual rainfall (8.1 inches) creates arid conditions and water management challenges.
Limited local entertainment, arts, and major retail options within city limits.
Distance from major metropolitan medical centers for specialized healthcare needs.
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.
Lovington
#359New Mexico, USA
59.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,150
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
321/yr
Avg Temp
64.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
68
Business
65
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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