Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $889 in New Mexico versus $817 in Ohio. Overall, Ohio runs roughly 8% cheaper on rent than New Mexico, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $65,604 in New Mexico and $51,707 in Ohio — about 21% higher in New Mexico. New Mexico has a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax; Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
4.875%
5.75%
+0.9 pp in Ohio
Income Tax (top rate)
5.90%
2.75%
+3.2 pp in New Mexico
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$889
$817
+8% in New Mexico
Median Home Value
$266,700
$215,300
+19% in New Mexico
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$65,604
$51,707
+21% in New Mexico
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
57.2°F
52.7°F
+4.5°F in New Mexico
New Mexico vs Ohio — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in New Mexico or Ohio?
- Ohio is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $817 runs about 8% below New Mexico's $889, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in New Mexico than in Ohio?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, based on median rent across tracked cities, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in New Mexico versus $33,000 in Ohio.
- Which has lower taxes, New Mexico or Ohio?
- New Mexico has a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax. Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 3/3 cities we track in New Mexico/Ohio — not population-weighted statewide figures. Taxes are exact state-level rates. Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026.