CostIndexUSA

Boston, MA vs Santa Fe, NM Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

MA
Boston
108.3
overall index
$3,050/mo rent
More AffordableNM
Santa Fe
98.8
overall index
$1,950/mo rent

Santa Fe is moderately cheaper than Boston — 8.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Boston, you would need $73,000 in Santa Fe. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing27.2%
Boston
148.4
Santa Fe
108
🛒 Groceries3.6%
Boston
99.7
Santa Fe
96.1
🚗 Transportation4.9%
Boston
108.8
Santa Fe
103.5
🏥 Healthcare4.9%
Boston
98.4
Santa Fe
93.6
Utilities48.5%
Boston
148.8
Santa Fe
76.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Santa Fe, NM
$73,000
$7,000 less needed in Santa Fe

Formula: salary × (98.8 ÷ 108.3) = salary × 0.9123. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Boston, MA

Median Home Price
$709,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,050
Housing Index
148.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.4×

Santa Fe, NM

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

Boston has 27.2% lower housing costs compared to Santa Fe.

Income & Job Market

Boston, MA

Median Household Income
$110,700
Per Capita Income
$63,100
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
692,600
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationFinanceTechnologyBiotechnology

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).

Boston, MA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% 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.