CostIndexUSA

Las Cruces, NM vs Santa Fe, NM Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableNM
Las Cruces
90.2
overall index
$1,375/mo rent
NM
Santa Fe
98.8
overall index
$1,950/mo rent

Las Cruces is moderately cheaper than Santa Fe — 9.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Las Cruces, you would need $87,600 in Santa Fe. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+71.4%
Las Cruces
63
Santa Fe
108
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Las Cruces
96.1
Santa Fe
96.1
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Las Cruces
103.5
Santa Fe
103.5
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Las Cruces
93.6
Santa Fe
93.6
Utilities1.5%
Las Cruces
77.9
Santa Fe
76.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Santa Fe, NM
$87,600
$7,600 more needed in Santa Fe

Formula: salary × (98.8 ÷ 90.2) = salary × 1.0953. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Las Cruces, NM

Median Home Price
$282,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,375
Housing Index
63
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.1×

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 71.4% higher housing costs compared to Las Cruces.

Income & Job Market

Las Cruces, NM

Median Household Income
$56,500
Per Capita Income
$32,200
Unemployment Rate
5.6%
Population
111,385
Top Industries
EducationGovernmentHealthcareMilitaryRetail

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).

Las Cruces, NM
3.4×income-to-rent ratio

71% 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.