Is it cheaper to live in Santa Fe or Spokane?

Spokane, WA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,070 (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 Santa Fe than in Spokane?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Santa Fe versus $36,000 in Spokane.

Which has lower taxes, Santa Fe or Spokane?

Santa Fe is taxed under New Mexico's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax); Spokane under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Santa Fe vs Spokane Cost of Living 2026

Santa Fe

New Mexico

$1,310/mo est.

Spokane

Washington

$1,070/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,310 in Santa Fe, NM versus $1,070 in Spokane, WA. Overall, Spokane, WA is roughly 18% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Santa Fe, NM, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $70,110 in Santa Fe, NM and $65,745 in Spokane, WA — about 6% higher in Santa Fe, NM. New Mexico has a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Santa Fe, NM

Spokane, WA

Rent

Studio

$969

$884

+9% in Santa Fe, NM

1 Bedroom

$1,167

$903

+23% in Santa Fe, NM

2 Bedroom

$1,559

$1,192

+24% in Santa Fe, NM

3 Bedroom

$1,733

$1,442

+17% in Santa Fe, NM

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$411,500

$326,200

+21% in Santa Fe, NM

Income

Median Household Income

$70,110

$65,745

+6% in Santa Fe, NM

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,710

$54,660

+12% in Spokane, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

46.4 yr

37.2 yr

+9.2 yr in Santa Fe, NM

Homeownership

62.8%

58.3%

+4.5 pp in Santa Fe, NM

Bachelor's+ (25+)

45.4%

32.6%

+12.8 pp in Santa Fe, NM

Avg Commute

20.2 min

21.2 min

+1.0 min in Spokane, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

843.3

683.6

+19% in Santa Fe, NM

Property Crime

5,189

4,931.8

+5% 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

51.9°F

48.9°F

+3.0°F in Santa Fe, NM

Annual Precipitation

13.5 in

17.8 in

+4.3 in in Spokane, WA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$5.12/gal

+41% in Spokane, WA

Area: Gulf Coast (PADD 3) vs Washington.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

14.9

+6% in Spokane, WA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.90

$20.41

+72% in Spokane, WA

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 (NM / WA)

4.875%

6.5%

+1.6 pp in WA

Income Tax (top rate)

5.90%

None

+5.9 pp in NM

Santa Fe vs Spokane — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Santa Fe or Spokane?: Spokane, WA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,070 (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 Santa Fe than in Spokane?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Santa Fe versus $36,000 in Spokane.
Which has lower taxes, Santa Fe or Spokane?: Santa Fe is taxed under New Mexico's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax); Spokane under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% 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).