Living Cost Compare
Santa Fe, NM

Cost of Living in Santa Fe, NM

Population 88,224 · New Mexico

~$1,310/mo est.1BR $1,167Home $411,500
Photo: pcrm Dorego / Unsplash

The cost of living in Santa Fe, NM is driven mostly by housing. A one-bedroom apartment rents for around $1,167 a month — 8% higher than the $1,080 median across the 112 large US cities we track. Studios average $969 and two-bedrooms $1,559.

Median household income here is $70,110, about the same as the $69,423 median of the cities we track. Adding typical electricity and heating to one-bedroom rent, a rough monthly baseline for one person is about $1,310 before food and transport. New Mexico has a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax.

Rent1BR $1,167
Studio
$969
1 Bedroom
$1,167
2 Bedroom
$1,559
3 Bedroom
$1,733
Buying a Home$411,500
Median Home Value
$411,500
Income$70,110
Median Household Income
$70,110
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$48,710

Household income: Census ACS, city. Metro median wage: BLS OEWS, all occupations, 2025 (metro area).

GroceriesWest
Milk (gal)
$4.82
Bread (lb)
$2.04
Eggs (doz)
$2.19
Ground Beef (lb)
$7.36
Chicken (lb)
$2.01
Bananas (lb)
$0.70

Average prices, West (BLS, 2026-07-01). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

Utilities14.1¢/kWh
Electricity
14.1¢/kWh
Natural Gas
$11.90/MCF

Residential, state-level averages (EIA, 2026-05-01). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Gas$3.62/gal
Regular Gasoline (Gulf Coast (PADD 3))
$3.62/gal

EIA weekly retail average, week of 2026-08-17.

State Taxes (NM)4.875% sales
State Sales Tax
4.88%
State Income Tax (top rate)
Up to 5.90%

State-level rates. Local sales taxes may add more. Income tax shown is the top marginal rate; most filers pay less.

Crime843.3 violent
Violent Crime (per 100k/yr)
843.3
Property Crime (per 100k/yr)
5,189

FBI Crime Data Explorer, Santa Fe Police Department (2024). Offenses per 100,000 residents per year. Agency reporting practices vary, so cross-city comparisons are approximate.

People & LifestyleAge 46.4 yrs
Median Age
46.4 yrs
Homeownership
62.8%
Bachelor's+ (25+)
45.4%
Avg Commute
20.2 min
Climate51.9°F
Avg Annual Temperature
51.9°F
Annual Precipitation
13.5 in

Santa Fe cost of living — FAQ

Is Santa Fe expensive to live in?
Santa Fe is on the pricier side of the 112 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $1,167 per month ranks #45 of 112 and is 8% higher than the $1,080 median.
What is the average rent in Santa Fe?
Average rent in Santa Fe, NM runs a studio around $969, a one-bedroom around $1,167, a two-bedroom around $1,559, a three-bedroom around $1,733 per month (US Census ACS).
How much do you need to earn to live in Santa Fe?
To keep a one-bedroom rent of $1,167 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year. The median household income here is $70,110.
How much does it cost to live in Santa Fe per month?
A rough monthly baseline for one person in Santa Fe is about $1,310 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Compare Santa Fe with nearby cities

Santa Fe vs AlbuquerqueSanta Fe vs Colorado SpringsSanta Fe vs Las CrucesSanta Fe vs El PasoSanta Fe vs DenverSanta Fe vs Aurora

Nearby cities

Albuquerque, NM 58 miColorado Springs, CO 226 miLas Cruces, NM 237 miEl Paso, TX 273 miDenver, CO 285 miAurora, CO 286 mi

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981-2010 (climate); EIA (gas, utilities); BLS Average Price Data (groceries) & OEWS (metro wage); transit agencies (fares); FBI Crime Data Explorer (crime); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes). Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + utilities; not a full cost of living.