CostIndexUSA

San Diego, CA vs Santa Fe, NM Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
San Diego
111.9
overall index
$2,875/mo rent
More AffordableNM
Santa Fe
98.8
overall index
$1,950/mo rent

Santa Fe is moderately cheaper than San Diego — 11.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in San Diego, you would need $70,600 in Santa Fe. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing39.8%
San Diego
179.3
Santa Fe
108
🛒 Groceries11.0%
San Diego
108
Santa Fe
96.1
🚗 Transportation1.1%
San Diego
104.6
Santa Fe
103.5
🏥 Healthcare1.1%
San Diego
94.6
Santa Fe
93.6
Utilities56.0%
San Diego
174.2
Santa Fe
76.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Santa Fe, NM
$70,600
$9,400 less needed in Santa Fe

Formula: salary × (98.8 ÷ 111.9) = salary × 0.8829. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

San Diego, CA

Median Home Price
$904,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,875
Housing Index
179.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
26.2×

Santa Fe, NM

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

San Diego has 39.8% lower housing costs compared to Santa Fe.

Income & Job Market

San Diego, CA

Median Household Income
$103,700
Per Capita Income
$59,100
Unemployment Rate
4.7%
Population
1,386,932
Top Industries
MilitaryTechnologyTourismBiotechnologyHealthcare

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).

San Diego, CA
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.