salarySanta Fe is the 4th-largest city in New Mexico that we track, with 89,019 residents. Rent is higher than in 64% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 5.6 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $76,480 a year. That is $37 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other New Mexico cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of New Mexico. It is number 42 of 44 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Santa Fe?
Share of households by yearly income. 26.5% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Santa Fe
| Size | Santa Fe | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,052 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,305 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,746 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,949 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,129 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Santa Fe overall?
Everyday prices in the Santa Fe metro area are 1% below the U.S. average (index 98.8, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Santa Fe
Life in Santa Fe
What jobs pay in Santa Fe
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $150,580 | 15.2% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $144,250 | 15.9% |
| Physician Assistant | $127,730 | 18.0% |
| Lawyer | $122,430 | 18.7% |
| Software Developer | $112,380 | 20.4% |
| Civil Engineer | $110,470 | 20.8% |
| Operations Manager | $106,770 | 21.5% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $102,900 | 22.3% |
| Registered Nurse | $100,790 | 22.8% |
| Dental Hygienist | $99,260 | 23.1% |
| Police Officer | $74,640 | 30.7% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $73,750 | 31.1% |
| Accountant | $72,780 | 31.5% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $72,750 | 31.5% |
| Market Research Analyst | $60,560 | 37.9% |
| Carpenter | $59,420 | 38.6% |
| Electrician | $57,250 | 40.1% |
| Truck Driver | $51,120 | 44.9% |
| Plumber | $50,180 | 45.7% |
| HVAC Technician | $49,360 | 46.5% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $46,640 | 49.2% |
| Nursing Assistant | $46,530 | 49.3% |
| Medical Assistant | $45,970 | 49.9% |
| Customer Service Representative | $41,000 | 56.0% |
| Warehouse Worker | $40,090 | 57.2% |
| Restaurant Cook | $37,250 | 61.6% |
| Retail Salesperson | $35,960 | 63.8% |
| Cashier | $34,900 | 65.7% |
| Firefighter | $31,200 | 73.5% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Santa Fe?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,175 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $444,900 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $44,490 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Santa Fe, NM?
Renting in Santa Fe costs a median of about $1,912 a month in 2026, including utilities. The New Mexico median is $1,181.
How much do I need to make to live in Santa Fe?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $76,480 a year, or $37 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Santa Fe cheap or expensive?
Santa Fe is rated OK: rent takes 29.0% of the typical household income of $79,250. It ranks 42nd cheapest of 44 New Mexico cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Santa Fe?
The median homeowner in Santa Fe pays $2,126 a year in property taxes, about 0.48% of the median home value.
Is Santa Fe more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 1% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Santa Fe?
The median home value in Santa Fe is $444,900, about 5.6 times the typical yearly household income.
89,019 people live in Santa Fe. Numbers are typical (middle) values.