Find out how much it really costs to live in this charming, historic city in the Land of Enchantment and see if it’s a match.

The cost of living in Santa Fe, New Mexico is 12% above the U.S. average and 26.7% above the national average. Nestled along the Sangre de Cristo Mountain range, Santa Fe draws people in with its desert beauty, standout food scene, and layered history. Life moves at a slower, quieter pace here, but you’re never far from modern conveniences or city perks.

Whether you’re moving to Santa Fe for its galleries and green chile or its trailheads and mountain views, here’s a closer look at the cost of living in The City Different.

Cost of Living in Santa Fe

What Is the Cost of Living in Santa Fe?

The cost of living in Santa Fe is higher than the state and national averages, largely because of its tourism-driven economy. With high visitor demand and limited housing supply, prices rise faster than in nearby cities. The upside? Residents get walkable streets, mountain views, and a rich local culture that make the cost feel worth it.

Here’s how the cost of living in Santa Fe compares to the rest of the U.S:

How Much Is Rent in Santa Fe?

According to our October 2025 rent report, the overall median rent in Santa Fe is $1,496. Expect higher prices closer to the historic downtown and Railyard District, expensive the closer you are to the historic downtown and the Railyard District, and more affordable options in surrounding suburbs like Pojoaque and Chimayo.

How Much Is a One-Bedroom Apartment in Santa Fe?

The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Santa Fe, NM is $1,249. Rents have dipped slightly compared to previous years, reflecting the national cooling trend in rent prices.

How Much Is a Two-Bedroom Apartment in Santa Fe?

The median rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Santa Fe, NM is $1,564.

How Much Is Housing in Santa Fe?

The Santa Fe housing market has seen significant growth, with median home prices currently at $541,100—well above Albuquerque’s median home price of $308,100.

What Salary Do You Need to Live in Santa Fe?

To figure out how much you can afford for rent, we follow the 30% rule—your rent should not account for more than 30% of your gross income. At a citywide median rent of $1,496, you’ll need to earn a salary of $59,840.

MIT uses a more complex living wage calculation to arrive at a similar estimate: according to their research, the living wage in Santa Fe for a single adult without children is $24.42 per hour, or $50,802 annually before taxes to cover basic necessities (food, shelter, health care, etc.).

Remember that the living wage, average salary, and recommended salary for any city, including Santa Fe, are three very different things. You’ll need to anticipate needs regarding additional living costs, including dining, entertainment, etc. You might find that you’ll need to search for a higher salary, a less expensive apartment, or both in a perfect world.

How Much Is Transportation in Santa Fe?

Santa Fe offers three main public transit options:

Santa Fe Trails – the citywide bus system ($5 for a 3-day pass) Santa Fe Pick Up – a free downtown shuttle Santa Fe Ride – a shared-rider service for residents 60+ or individuals with disabilities

If you’re planning to have a car, you'll spend about $10,306 on transportation in Santa Fe every year. A family of four, including two working adults and two children, will pay $17,288 for transportation annually.

You’ll also want to take into account gasoline prices. In Santa Fe, you can expect to pay around $2.98 per gallon, significantly lower than the national average of $3.11.

How Much Are Utilities in Santa Fe?

For a 915 square foot apartment in Santa Fe, basic utilities (electric, heating, cooling, water, and garbage) cost an average of $172.51 per month. Internet with 60 Mbps or more with unlimited data, cable/ADSL will cost you an extra $68.80, bringing your total monthly utility bill to $241.31.

Santa Fe’s altitude is nearly 7,000 ft., which keeps temperatures relatively moderate. That being said, you’ll still experience four distinct seasons when living here. Summers are hot, filled with dramatic thunderstorms. Winters are cold and bring with them the occasional snowstorm.

You can get a better idea of what to expect and budget accordingly by getting an idea of how much utilities will cost in an apartment before you move.

How Much Is Child Care in Santa Fe?

Like any other city, child care is a significant expense in Santa Fe. Looking at MIT’s latest data, you'll spend around $14,981 for the annual cost of one child at daycare in Santa Fe. For two children, you’ll spend $28.873.

Keep in mind that your daycare costs will vary depending on the neighborhood you choose to live in. Trendy downtown areas with a daycare shortage will have more expensive daycare costs.

If you live in the suburbs with more options, you'll probably trim down your costs. You can also get creative and work from home or trade hours with another parent or your partner to save on daycare altogether.

How Much Is Food in Santa Fe?

Santa Fe’s food scene blends Native American, Mexican, and Southwestern flavors— sopaipillas, Frito pies, breakfast burritos, and green chile burgers are abundant here.

Eating at an inexpensive restaurant in Santa Fe costs an average of $17.20 for a meal, while a three-course dinner for two people at a mid-range restaurant will run $68 without alcohol or dessert.

If you're a single adult without children, you can expect to pay at least $4,690 on food per year. However, a family of four with two working adults and two children should expect to pay $13,747 per year for food.

How Much Is Healthcare in Santa Fe?

In Santa Fe, the annual medical costs for an individual and family of four are $3,030 and $8,750, respectively.

Check out Healthcare.gov to see what plan options are available. You can search through options including low-cost, single member, and family plans to help you find the best match. The site also provides essential data and tools, including open-enrollment dates and how to report a move to ensure that you don't lose coverage.

Santa Fe Fitness and Entertainment

With Santa Fe’s drastic climate change throughout the year, you might want to consider fitness club membership costs to keep fit. The monthly fee for a fitness club membership for one adult is around $86.67.

Otherwise, you can enjoy the beautiful Santa Fe landscape when the weather permits. Some favorite outdoor activities include hitting the San Antonio Hot Springs, paddling out at Lake Abiquiu or Lake Katherine, and hiking Dale Ball Trails or Ski Basin.

For indoor entertainment, movie tickets will cost about $14.00 without snacks or drinks. Or, you can save some cash and check out the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, or the International Folk Art Museum.

Other Expenses to Consider in Santa Fe

New Mexico has a progressive tax rate that ranks among the lowest 20 in the U.S. Rather than residents paying a sales tax, they’re responsible for paying a gross receipts tax often passed down by businesses.

Anyone moving out of state to Santa Fe will also need to consider costs associated with cross-country movers, storage, hotels, and transportation. Often accompanying these moves include apartment application fees, security deposits, pet deposits, and other add-ons.

Lastly, you can’t forget about furnishing your new home. You can check out some tips and tricks on decorating your apartment on a budget to help you save some cash during your big move.

Find Your Next Apartment in Santa Fe

If Santa Fe’s mix of art, culture, and outdoor recreation sound like your vibe, take the Apartment List quiz to get matched with a place in The City Different that fits your budget and your life. With us, you’ll spend five minutes and save 50 hours searching.

FAQs: Cost of Living in Santa Fe

How much money do you need to live comfortably in Santa Fe?

If you follow the 30% rule, you should earn at least $59,840 a year or around $28.78 an hour to rent an apartment at the citywide median rent of $1,496. The idea is to spend only 30% of your income on rent to live comfortably. You can also consider MIT data’s living wage of $24.42 an hour, which is the minimum you need to live in Santa Fe. That figure does not account for student loan repayments, entertainment, savings, or travel.

Where is the most affordable place to live in Santa Fe?

The Santa Fe neighborhoods where the cost of living is lowest include Pojoaque, Chimayo, and El Valle de Arroyo Seco, according to the latest data from Niche.com.

Where is the most expensive place to live in Santa Fe?

Rents in Santa Fe tend to be more expensive near the historic downtown and the Railyard District. According to Niche.com, the neighborhoods where cost of living is highest in Santa Fe include Glorieta, Tesuque, and Lamy.

How far is Santa Fe from Albuquerque?

Santa Fe is 63.3 miles from Albuquerque; about an hour and ten minute trip by car.

Is rent in Santa Fe more expensive than Albuquerque?

Yes, rents are higher in Santa Fe. The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Santa Fe is $1,249 a month, while the median rent for a similar-sized apartment in Albuquerque is $1,010.

Which city is better for renters: Santa Fe, or Albuquerque?

It depends on your lifestyle. Santa Fe offers a relaxed, artsy atmosphere and strong community feel. Albuquerque attracts young professionals and families looking for a more urban environment, diverse job market, and lower housing costs.

How expensive is an apartment in Santa Fe?

The overall median rent in Santa Fe is $1,496. Santa Fe’s rent growth over the past year has fallen behind both the state (-0.2%) and national averages (-0.8%).

What is the population of Santa Fe?

According to the latest U.S. Census data, the population of Santa Fe county is 154,823.