Santa Fe 74 Excellent
Santa Fe Livability #7 ranked city in New Mexico#4,250 ranked city in the USARanks better than 85% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in Santa Fe

PROS
  • Amenities

    Conveniently located, the area boasts a variety of amenities, including grocery stores, shopping, coffee shops and entertainment options all within walking distance.

  • Commute

    The high commute score in this area could imply easy access to public transportation, as well as shorter-than-average commute times to your workplace.

  • Housing

    Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.

  • Health & Safety

    Accessible health facilities like hospitals, doctors offices, clinics and nursing homes as well as good air quality are all factors that have led to a high score in this category.

CONS
  • Crime

    Reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people, this area may be perceived as an unsafe place to reside. These statistics encompass both violent and property crime rates.

  • Schools

    The low schools score might be a result of factors like lower than average education levels, lackluster reading and math scores and the inaccessibility of local elementary and high schools.

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What's it like Living in Santa Fe?

Santa Fe, New Mexico is a mid-sized city with a population of 84,418 people. The majority of Santa Fe residents report their race to be White; this is followed by American Indian and Alaskan and Black. Additionally, more than a quarter of the population of Santa Fe are of Hispanic or Latino origin, and 33% of the population also speak Spanish. In Santa Fe, only 46% of people over the age of fifteen are married. This city could be a good option for singles ready to mingle. Not a fan of sitting in traffic during your commute to work? Santa Fe offers shorter work commutes, with an average one-way commute time taking only 20 minutes, far lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

Without the right tools, moving to any new town can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Santa Fe, New Mexico could be a great experience for anyone who puts in the time to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. With useful information like crime, cost of living, health & safety and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Santa Fe and in the areas around Santa Fe is a much easier task.

With a livability score of 78 out of 100, Santa Fe is ranked #1,981 in the United States and #4 in New Mexico. Clearly, Santa Fe is doing something right, as this score ranks well above the average of most cities. This city is also ranked in the top 10 percentile of all cities across the USA. On a less positive note, Santa Fe does not have favorable grades for the following: education (D). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.

If you're living in Santa Fe, you can expect to enjoy a multitude of local amenities, mostly thanks to the strategic placement of essential services such as grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, parks and various shops. If you're contemplating a move to this locale with the intent of establishing it as your permanent residence, you'll be pleased to find an extensive array of amenities and recreational opportunities within easy reach, either on foot or via a brief commute. This wealth of accessible amenities not only enhances the livability of the area but also ensures that you can enjoy a rich and fulfilling lifestyle, making Santa Fe an attractive destination for those seeking a vibrant and well-served community to call home. Some of the more notable entertainment options include: Loretto Chapel, The Plaza, and The Plaza.

Assuming that Santa Fe meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Santa Fe. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Santa Fe are simply unattainable. The median home price for Santa Fe homes is $290,800, which is 80% higher than the New Mexico average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Santa Fe, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 5.1, which is 45.7% higher than the New Mexico average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Santa Fe

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Santa Fe?

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Compare Santa Fe, NM Livability

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      Santa Fe transportation information

      Statistic Santa Fe New Mexico National
      Average one way commute20min22min26min
      Workers who drive to work77.2%79.8%76.4%
      Workers who carpool9.2%10.1%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit1.1%1.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.7%0.7%0.6%
      Workers who walk2.2%2.2%2.8%
      Working from home8.8%4.7%4.6%
      Source: The Santa Fe, NM data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).