Performance
Score Breakdown
Oakville
Las Cruces
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Las Cruces is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
25% higher compared to Oakville.
Housing costs are a major driver: Oakville's average rent is
64% higher than Las Cruces's.
| Metric | Oakville | Las Cruces | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,749 | $1,068 | +64% |
| Groceries | $339 | $450 | -25% |
| Utilities | $180 | $198 | -9% |
| Transport | $108 | $120 | -10% |
| Healthcare | $110 | $150 | -27% |
| Monthly Total | $2,486 | $1,986 | +25% |
| Cost Index | 86 | 91 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Oakville offers 46% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Oakville delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Oakville is estimated at
$68,904 vs $64,000 in Las Cruces.
| Metric | Oakville | Las Cruces |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $76,896 | $52,790 |
| Salary Needed | $68,904 | $64,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 89,414 idx | 58,011 idx |
| Household Income | $110,000 | $55,422 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Oakville | Las Cruces |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 71.00% | 4.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Oakville has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
10,000 minutes (167 hours) per year compared to Las Cruces.
Las Cruces scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Las Cruces leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Oakville | Las Cruces |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 34.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Oakville is the larger city
— approximately 2x the population of Las Cruces.
From a growth perspective, Las Cruces is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Las Cruces has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Oakville | Las Cruces |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 233,700 | 116,998 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 0.99% |
| Median Age | 33.0 | |
| Unemployment | 6.91% | 4.50% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Oakville
Advantages
Oakville consistently ranks among the safest communities in Canada with a low crime rate.
The town offers excellent access to healthcare services, ranking highly in Ontario and Canada.
Oakville has a highly educated population, with over 85% of adults holding post-secondary degrees.
The median household income in Oakville is significantly higher than the provincial average, indicating strong economic prosperity.
Oakville is recognized for its vibrant community and high quality of life.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Oakville, particularly housing, is considerably higher than the national average.
Despite a recent drop, average rent in Oakville remains one of the highest in the country.
A car is generally essential for getting around Oakville due to its suburban layout.
Some services not covered by OHIP, such as doctor's notes or certain forms, incur additional fees.
While amenities are good, the amenities score can be surprisingly low in some livability assessments.
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.
Oakville
#3Ontario, Canada
80.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,749
Avg Salary
$76,896
Cost Index
86
Commute
min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
6.91%
Livability
84
Business
75
Las Cruces
#21New Mexico, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,068
Avg Salary
$52,790
Cost Index
91
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
34.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.99%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
78
Business
70
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Oakville and Las Cruces.
Open Cost Calculator