Las Cruces, New Mexico
Cost-of-Living: Meets the national average
Located 40 miles northwest of El Paso, Texas, Las Cruces is a growing retirement area and has a population of roughly 87,000, 33% of whom are age 45 or better. Low humidity, open spaces and dramatic desert landscapes are the main drawing cards. New Mexico State University is also located here and has a student population of 23,000.
Las Cruces’ climate is characterized by hot summers (temperatures reach into the mid and high 90s) with cool nights and dry air; average afternoon humidity is around 30%. The area receives an average of an inch of precipitation a month, and sunshine is in abundance with sunny skies 195 days a year. Mild winters with average daily temperatures in the 40s.