The southwest's best kept secret is nestled in the fertile Mesilla Valley in the Dona Anna County of New Mexico; between the majestic Organ Mountains and the meandering Rio Grande. Las Cruces New Mexico is quickly becoming a popular southwestern relocation destination

Las Cruces's ideal location at the crossroads of Interstate 10 and 25 brings visitors into contact with 72 holes of spectacular year-round golf, unique special events, historic attractions such as Old Mesilla - not to mention world-class Mexican food! Las Cruces also blends a unique variety of attractions, culture, historical sites, and superb year-round weather with 350 days of sunshine per year!!

Las Cruces, New Mexico has received several awards including a recent rankings by Money magazine as one of the best college towns to retire and AARP as one of their dream towns to retire. Las Cruces has also been ranked by Forbes as one of the best small metro areas for business and careers. Farmer's Insurance Group and bestplaces.net named Las Cruces the #1 safest city in the USA for a medium-sized city in a metropolitan statistical area with a population of 150,000 to 500,000. The 2006 ranking was published in the You Belong magazine by Farmer's Insurance Group.

Las Cruces has been named the #1 safest city in the USA for a medium-sized city in a metropolitan statistical area with a population of 150,000 to 500,000. The Safe City Leader list was compiled by Farmer's Insurance Group and bestplaces.net. The 2006 ranking was published in the "You Belong" magazine by Farmer's Insurance Group.

Las Cruces is located in the verdant Mesilla Valley in south-central New Mexico and is the second largest city in the state (yes, larger than Santa Fe). The area has been "home" to people for at least 4,000 years, and that's no surprise to anyone who has seen Las Cruces. The area offers a vast selection of annual events and attractions, and great weather with an average of 350 days of sunshine a year!

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
79,524 permanent residents and about 15,000 students at New Mexico State University during the school 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: $161,250
New 3 Bedroom Home: $197,950
Monthly Rent for 3 Bedroom Unfurnished Apartment: $635

Taxes
Las Cruces Sales Tax: Gross receipts tax is 7.125%. 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, 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 for 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. 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. Prompt Care, First Step Woman's Health and Pediatrics, the Family Practice Center and Ikard-Memorial Cancer Treatment Center also offer quality services.

Established: 1849

Population
Las Cruces: 78,000
Doña County: 175,000

Elevation: 3,896 feet

Geographical Location
Las Cruces is located in southern New Mexico. We are on the edge of the Chihuahuan Desert, at the foot of the Organ Mountains and along the banks of the Rio Grande. Las Cruces is 225 miles south of Albuquerque, NM, 275 miles east of Tucson, AZ and 42 miles west of El Paso, TX.

Weather
Las Cruces enjoys 350 days of sunshine a year. Temperatures in the summer months routinely reach the high 90s, with nighttime lows in the 60s. The fall air is a bit cooler with daytime highs of mid 70s to low 80s. During the winter, when northern states are digging themselves out from under the snow, Las Cruces basks in daytime temperatures ranging from the upper 50s to lower 60s. As spring arrives in March and April, temperatures climb steadily from the low to high 80s. Las Cruces receives an average of 8.5 inches of rain per year and no more than two inches of snow in the winter.


Getting to Las Cruces
Most air travel is through the El Paso International Airport, located less than one hour south of Las Cruces in El Paso, TX. The airport accommodates most major commercial airlines and has direct shuttle services from the airport to several points in Las Cruces. The Las Cruces International Airport is equipped to service private and charter aircraft.

If you are traveling to Las Cruces by car, we are located at the intersection of interstates 10 (east-west) and 25 (north-south) in southern New Mexico.

Occasionally, Highway 70 heading east out of Las Cruces is temporarily closed for a short period of time due to testing at White Sands Missile Range. Call in advance if you are planning to head that direction.