Las Cruces
Investment Analysis

Las Cruces, NM
Investor Report

Comprehensive real estate investment analysis with cap rates, rental yields, and risk assessment.

Share:
41
Investment Score
Hold
Cap Rate (Est.)
2.1%
Gross Yield
3.5%
P/R Ratio
24.0x
YoY Growth
-0.8%
Median Home Price
$299,990
Average Rent (1BR)
$881/mo
Median Income
$55,012
Population
114,891

Investment Breakdown

28
Value Score
42
Growth Score
43
Safety Score
61
Afford Score

Las Cruces has a price-to-rent ratio of 24.0x, which indicates renting and buying are roughly equal.

The estimated cap rate of 2.1% is below average, typical of appreciation-focused markets.

Year-over-year price growth of -0.8% suggests a cooling market.

Rental Cash Flow Analysis

Monthly Income

Gross Rent $881
Annual Gross $10,572

Est. Monthly Expenses

Property Tax (~1.5%) -$375
Insurance (~0.5%) -$125
Maintenance (~1%) -$250
Est. Net Cash Flow $131/mo

Price Forecast 2026โ€“2028

๐Ÿ”ฎ Las Cruces Price Forecast 2026โ€“2028

Based on 5-year Zillow ZHVI trend analysis ยท Statistical projection
๐Ÿ“ˆ Upward Trend
PROJECTEDNOW$285K2027$320Kโ–ฒ 12.5%2028$336Kโ–ฒ 18.1%20232024Now
$353K$256K
Current
$300K
2026
Projected
$320K
โ†‘ 12.5% by 2027
Projected
$336K
โ†‘ 18.1% by 2028
5yr CAGR:+6.8%
Confidence:Moderate
Rยฒ:0.81
โ–ผ

For those eyeing the Las Cruces housing market forecast through 2028, the data paints a picture of a market losing steam after a strong run. The median home price of $284,655 has already dipped -0.8% year-over-year, a clear signal that the post-pandemic surge is cooling. This moderation, set against a five-year gain of 40.6%, suggests a period of price stabilization is underway. While the 5-Year CAGR sits at a healthy 6.9%, the current trend indicates growth will likely normalize closer to inflation. For anyone asking will Las Cruces home prices drop significantly, the answer is probably not, but expect flat to single-digit growth as affordability constraints bite. The local economy, anchored by New Mexico State University and federal agencies at White Sands Missile Range, provides a stable employment base, but this isn't a high-growth tech hub that will dramatically outpace national averages.

The fundamentals point toward a balanced, if slightly muted, outlook for Las Cruces real estate Las Cruces 2027. A Price-to-Rent Ratio of 25.4xโ€”well above the national average of 18xโ€”clearly signals that renting is the more financially prudent choice for now, aligning with the "RENT" verdict. This metric suppresses investor-driven demand, which should ease upward pressure on prices. With homes sitting on the market for 50 days, sellers no longer hold the upper hand, giving buyers room to negotiate. Continued population growth from retirees and remote workers seeking affordability compared to larger Southwest cities will provide a floor for demand, but with local wage growth lagging behind historic price appreciation, a significant rebound seems unlikely. The Market Temperature of 60/100 reflects this shift from a red-hot seller's market to a more moderate, sustainable pace.

Projected Cap Rate (2027)
2.0%
5yr CAGR
+6.8%

Job Market

Unemployment 4.0%
National avg: 3.7%
Job Growth (YoY) +1.5%

Healthcare

67
Score
Below Avg

Risk Factors

High Crime Area
Declining Prices

Market Activity

Source: Redfin ยท 2026-01-31
Sale-to-List 148.1%
Months Supply 4.5
Price Drops 23%
Gone in 2 Wks 18%

Market Position

Affordability Below Avg
Safety Higher Risk

ROI Projector Estimate your total return

Adjust the sliders to model different investment scenarios for Las Cruces.

Total ROI
-140%
on $59,998 invested
Annual ROI
NaN%
compounded
Total Return
-$83,951
appreciation + cashflow
Mo. Cash Flow
-$1,478
year 1 estimate
Equity Growth Over 5 Years
Y162kY265kY368kY471kY574k
Appreciation
$0
Cash Flow
-$83,951
Final Equity
$74,062

* Estimates based on 0.0% annual appreciation, 3% rent growth, 5% vacancy. Does not include closing costs, tax benefits, or capital gains tax. For illustrative purposes only.

Rental Investment Calculator Estimate your monthly cashflow

Rental Income Estimator

Pre-filled for Las Cruces

Property

Purchase Price$299,990
Monthly Rent$881
Down Payment20%

Financing

Interest Rate6.5%

Expenses

Property Tax1.2%
Insurance (Annual)$1,500
Maintenance Reserve1%
Vacancy Rate5%
Property Management0%
HOA (Monthly)$0
-$1,355
Monthly Cash Flow
-$16,259/ year
-27.1%
Cash-on-Cash
0.6%
Cap Rate

Monthly Breakdown

+ Rental Income$881
โˆ’ Mortgage (P&I)$1,517
โˆ’ Property Tax$300
โˆ’ Insurance$125
โˆ’ Maintenance$250
โˆ’ Vacancy Loss$44
= Net Cash Flow-$1,355

Investment Summary

Down Payment
$59,998
Loan Amount
$239,992
Total Monthly Expenses
$2,236
Gross Yield
3.5%

Disclaimer: This analysis is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Investment decisions should be made after consulting with qualified professionals. Data sources include Zillow, Census Bureau, and BLS. Cap rates and yields are estimates based on available data.

Last updated: March 2026