Located in the beautiful Mesilla Valley, Las Cruces, is the second largest city in New Mexico and has a large selection of year-round activities. Surrounded by the Organ Mountains to the East and the Rio Grande river to the west, Las Cruces has a Population of about 80,000 with average of 350 days of sunshine a year making a very disrable place to reside.
City of Las Cruces Home
City of Las Cruces Visitors and Convention Bureau
City of Las Cruces Museum of Natural History Homepage
Dona Ana Veterans Memorial Wall Project
State of New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum
State of New Mexico Museum of Space History, Alamogordo
Fort Selden State Monument, State of New Mexico
Leasburg State Park, State of New Mexico
New Mexico State University Kent Hall Museum
New Mexico State University Art Gallery
New Mexico Cultural Resources
The Las Cruces Museum of Art
Branigan Cultural Center
The Las Cruces Museum of Natural History
The Las Cruces Railroad Museum
Las Cruces has been ranked in many national publications, Including:
- Best Small Metro Area for Business and Careers by Forbes/Milken Institute, 2002, 2003 and 2004
- Best Place to Live by Family Digest, Fall 2002
- One of the Best Places to Retire by Money Magazine, June 2002
- Top 10 Cities for Hispanics to Live by Hispanic Magazine, 2002 and 2003
- Top 50 Motorcoach Destinations in the United States by the National Bus Association, 2004 and 2005
- Top Destination by Facilities & Destinations Magazine, 2001, 2002 and 2004
- One of America's Top 100 Retirement Towns by Where to Retire Magazine, Fall 2001.
Location
Located at the intersection of Intestates 10 and 25 in southern New Mexico, about 45 miles northwest of El Paso, TX, 230 miles south of Albuquerque, NM and about 173 miles east of Tucson, AZ.
Population
78,800 permanent residents and about 15,000 students at New Mexico State University during the scTemps02hool year. Total Dona Ana county population, 180,500.
Climate
Average relative humidity: 27%
Rain: 8 inches
Snow: 2 inches
Cost of Living
ACCRA National Average 100
Las Cruces: 93
Average Housing Cost
Existing 3 Bedroom Home: $132,000
New 3 Bedroom Home: $195,000
Monthly Rent for 3 Bedroom Unfurnished Apartment: $600
Taxes
Las Cruces Sales Tax: Gross receipts tax is 7%. Exemptions: Prescription drugs.
State Income Tax: New Mexico uses a seven-bracket, graduated-rate table ranging from 1.7% to 8.2% of taxable income.
State Exemptions: Depending on income level, taxpayers who are 65 and older may be eligible for a deduction from taxable income of up to $8,000 each. Un-reimbursed and uncompensated medical expenses not already itemized on the federal 1040A schedule for the same year may be eligible for a tax deduction.
Estate Tax: None, except the state’s “pick-up” portion of the federal tax, applicable to taxable estates above $1 million.
Property Tax: Las Cruces residential properties are taxed at a rate of $27.53 per $1,000 on 33.3% of appraised value. Mesilla residential property tax rate is $22.61 per $1,000 on 33.3% of appraised value.
Homestead Exemption: $2,000 of assessed value for all homeowners. New Mexico residents who are 65 years of age or older who have a modified gross income of $16,000 or less for the tax year qualify to claim a property tax rebate. The rebate may not exceed $250 for married taxpayers filling jointly ($125 fro married taxpayers filing separately or single taxpayers).
Education
Continuing education offered at both New Mexico State University (505-646-0111) and the Dona Ana Branch Community College (505-527-7500).
Transportation
The city’s Road Runner Transit offers a citywide public bus system. Adult fares are 50 cents (25 cents for senior citizens, students and disabled). Door-to-door services are also available through Dial-A-Ride, the Las Cruces Airport, and Las Cruces Shuttle.
Air Service
The El Paso International Airport is located approximately 45 miles southeast of Las Cruces via Interstate 10. Direct shuttle service from Las Cruces Shuttle 505-525-1784 is available from various locations around Las Cruces.
Healthcare
Las Cruces offers several medical centers. The newly opened Mountain View Regional Medical Center provides a full-service emergency room, specialized woman’s center, comprehensive intensive-care services, surgical care and specialized cardiology center. Memorial Medical Center is a full-service hospital and serves as the acute care facility for the county. PromptCare, First Step Woman’s Health and Pediatrics, the Family Practice Center and Ikard-Memorial Cancer Treatment Center also offer quality services.
For more relocation information, contact the Greater Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce at 524-1968 or www.lascruces.org
