CostIndexUSA

Albuquerque, NM vs Santa Fe, NM Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableNM
Albuquerque
95.5
overall index
$1,525/mo rent
NM
Santa Fe
98.8
overall index
$1,950/mo rent

Albuquerque is slightly cheaper than Santa Fe — 3.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Albuquerque, you would need $82,800 in Santa Fe. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+21.1%
Albuquerque
89.2
Santa Fe
108
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Albuquerque
96.1
Santa Fe
96.1
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Albuquerque
103.5
Santa Fe
103.5
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Albuquerque
93.6
Santa Fe
93.6
Utilities1.5%
Albuquerque
77.9
Santa Fe
76.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Albuquerque to see what you'd need to earn in Santa Fe to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Santa Fe, NM
$82,800
$2,800 more needed in Santa Fe

Formula: salary × (98.8 ÷ 95.5) = salary × 1.0346. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Albuquerque, NM

Median Home Price
$340,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,525
Housing Index
89.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.6×

Santa Fe, NM

Median Home Price
$541,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,950
Housing Index
108
Price-to-Rent Ratio
23.1×

Santa Fe has 21.1% higher housing costs compared to Albuquerque.

Income & Job Market

Albuquerque, NM

Median Household Income
$67,600
Per Capita Income
$38,500
Unemployment Rate
4.5%
Population
564,559
Top Industries
GovernmentHealthcareEducationMilitaryTechnology

Santa Fe, NM

Median Household Income
$78,700
Per Capita Income
$44,900
Unemployment Rate
4.7%
Population
84,683
Top Industries
GovernmentTourismArtsHealthcareEducation

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Albuquerque, NM
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% of income left after rent (median)

Santa Fe, NM
3.4×income-to-rent ratio

70% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.