Is it cheaper to live in Fresno or Santa Fe?

Santa Fe, NM is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,310 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Fresno, CA's $1,370, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $42,000 a year in Fresno versus $47,000 in Santa Fe.

Which has lower taxes, Fresno or Santa Fe?

Fresno is taxed under California's rules (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% 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).

Fresno vs Santa Fe Cost of Living 2026

Fresno

California

$1,370/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 $1,370 in Fresno, CA versus $1,310 in Santa Fe, NM. Overall, Santa Fe, NM is roughly 4% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Fresno, CA, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $66,804 in Fresno, CA and $70,110 in Santa Fe, NM — about 5% higher in Santa Fe, NM. California has a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax; New Mexico has a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax.

Fresno, CA

Santa Fe, NM

Rent

Studio

$1,072

$969

+10% in Fresno, CA

1 Bedroom

$1,042

$1,167

+12% in Santa Fe, NM

2 Bedroom

$1,293

$1,559

+21% in Santa Fe, NM

3 Bedroom

$1,688

$1,733

+3% in Santa Fe, NM

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$348,500

$411,500

+18% in Santa Fe, NM

Income

Median Household Income

$66,804

$70,110

+5% in Santa Fe, NM

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$46,910

$48,710

+4% in Santa Fe, NM

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.4 yr

46.4 yr

+14.0 yr in Santa Fe, NM

Homeownership

49.7%

62.8%

+13.1 pp in Santa Fe, NM

Bachelor's+ (25+)

24.9%

45.4%

+20.5 pp in Santa Fe, NM

Avg Commute

22.3 min

20.2 min

+2.1 min in Fresno, CA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

742.2

843.3

+14% in Santa Fe, NM

Property Crime

3,335.3

5,189

+56% 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

64.4°F

51.9°F

+12.5°F in Fresno, CA

Annual Precipitation

11.5 in

13.5 in

+2.0 in in Santa Fe, NM

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.40/gal

$3.62/gal

+33% in Fresno, CA

Area: California vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$1.25

—

Adult base one-way fare — FAX vs — (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

33.3

14.1

+58% in Fresno, CA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$20.72

$11.90

+43% in Fresno, CA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

about equal

Bread (lb)

$2.04

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (CA / NM)

7.25%

4.875%

+2.4 pp in CA

Income Tax (top rate)

13.30%

5.90%

+7.4 pp in CA

Fresno vs Santa Fe — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Fresno or Santa Fe?: Santa Fe, NM is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,310 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Fresno, CA's $1,370, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Fresno than in Santa Fe?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $42,000 a year in Fresno versus $47,000 in Santa Fe.
Which has lower taxes, Fresno or Santa Fe?: Fresno is taxed under California's rules (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% 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).