Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or Santa Fe?

Columbus, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,080 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 18% below Santa Fe, NM's $1,310, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Columbus than in Santa Fe?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Columbus versus $47,000 in Santa Fe.

Which has lower taxes, Columbus or Santa Fe?

Columbus is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Santa Fe under New Mexico's (a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax).

Columbus vs Santa Fe Cost of Living 2026

Columbus

Georgia

$1,080/mo est.

Santa Fe

New Mexico

$1,310/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,080 in Columbus, GA versus $1,310 in Santa Fe, NM. Overall, Columbus, GA is roughly 18% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Santa Fe, NM, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $56,622 in Columbus, GA and $70,110 in Santa Fe, NM — about 19% higher in Santa Fe, NM. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; New Mexico has a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax.

Columbus, GA

Santa Fe, NM

Rent

Studio

$826

$969

+17% in Santa Fe, NM

1 Bedroom

$875

$1,167

+33% in Santa Fe, NM

2 Bedroom

$991

$1,559

+57% in Santa Fe, NM

3 Bedroom

$1,221

$1,733

+42% in Santa Fe, NM

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$182,300

$411,500

+126% in Santa Fe, NM

Income

Median Household Income

$56,622

$70,110

+24% in Santa Fe, NM

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$43,540

$48,710

+12% in Santa Fe, NM

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.1 yr

46.4 yr

+11.3 yr in Santa Fe, NM

Homeownership

50.2%

62.8%

+12.6 pp in Santa Fe, NM

Bachelor's+ (25+)

29.7%

45.4%

+15.7 pp in Santa Fe, NM

Avg Commute

20.2 min

about equal

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

612.3

843.3

+38% in Santa Fe, NM

Property Crime

2,273.4

5,189

+128% in Santa Fe, NM

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

65.7°F

51.9°F

+13.8°F in Columbus, GA

Annual Precipitation

46.8 in

13.5 in

+33.3 in in Columbus, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.62/gal

+6% in Columbus, GA

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.8

14.1

+11% in Columbus, GA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$33.28

$11.90

+64% in Columbus, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Santa Fe, NM

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Santa Fe, NM

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Columbus, GA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Santa Fe, NM

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Santa Fe, NM

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Santa Fe, NM

Average prices — South vs West (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / NM)

4.875%

+0.9 pp in NM

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

5.90%

+0.7 pp in NM

Columbus vs Santa Fe — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or Santa Fe?: Columbus, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,080 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 18% below Santa Fe, NM's $1,310, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Columbus than in Santa Fe?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Columbus versus $47,000 in Santa Fe.
Which has lower taxes, Columbus or Santa Fe?: Columbus is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Santa Fe under New Mexico's (a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).