A+
7%
Overall NAT. AVG.
3%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
16%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Hobbs New Mexico National
Cost of living9393100
Goods & Services9797100
Groceries9797100
Health care9497100
Housing8486100
Transportation9495100
Utilities9990100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Hobbs, NM

The cost of living in Hobbs affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Hobbs is 93, which is 7% lower than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

Everyday expenditures like food, housing, goods and services, transportation and health care in Hobbs are priced in a manner consistent with other areas. This means that residents of Hobbs can anticipate their daily expenses remaining reasonably similar to those in an average city, thereby supporting a manageable cost of living.

Is Hobbs Affordable?

Is Hobbs an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Hobbs is 22% lower than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 2.7% lower than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Hobbs has a median household income of $57,646, which is 4.2% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Hobbs?

Housing: When there's a high demand for housing in trendy places, it can cause property prices and rental rates to soar, leading to a significantly higher cost of living. Conversely, in less desirable locations, where demand is low, prices tend to decrease, resulting in a more budget-friendly cost of living. In Hobbs, the housing index is 16.2% lower than the national average.

Subsidies: Some cities and states may extend government subsidies or aid programs aimed at reducing the cost of living for their residents. These initiatives encompass diverse forms of support, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farm subsidies. Regions with limited subsidy provisions may witness an increase in their overall cost of living.

Urbanization: Urban areas with a wealth of amenities and employment opportunities tend to come with a higher price tag for living. Why? Well, more people want to be there, which drives up home prices and rents. On the flip side, less densely populated rural areas or places where there's not as much demand usually mean fewer attractions, things to do and slower job growth. That often results in a lower cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Hobbs, presented above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index, offering a practical method for assessing living cost disparities in urban areas. Published quarterly, this index compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services in 6 categories. The weightings assigned to cost variances are informed by government survey data tracking the expenditure patterns of professional and executive households. It should be noted that the C2ER index does not include data on sales or income tax rates, however, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each area.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Hobbs is equal to the New Mexico average
  • The cost of living in Hobbs is 7% lower than the national average
  • Hobbs housing is 16% lower than the national average
  • New Mexico general sales tax is 2% lower than the national average
  • New Mexico state income tax is 35% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Hobbs

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Compare Hobbs, NM Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

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      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$66,488$5,541$1,551$1,995
      Renters$43,432$3,619$1,013$1,303
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in Hobbs, NM, we can look at the percentage of income that is available to be spent on monthly housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). To stay on the safe side, a consumer should not spend more than 28% of his or her gross income on housing-related expenses and costs and not more than 36% of income on all expenses and debts. Homeowners in Hobbs have a median income of $66,488. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $1,551 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $43,432, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $1,013.

      New Mexico Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      New Mexico 5% 8.688%

      New Mexico Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      New Mexico 1.7% 5.9%

      Goods & Services

      Item Hobbs National avg. Difference
      Haircut $27.73$24.2614.3%
      Beauty Salon $70.27$45.5654.2%
      Toothpaste $3.61$3.702.5%
      Shampoo $1.15$1.2810.2%
      Movie $11.70$12.133.6%
      Bowling $17.73$18.001.5%

      Groceries

      Item Hobbs National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.50$5.845.8%
      Fried Chicken $1.67$1.576.0%
      Milk $4.58$4.672.0%
      Potatoes $4.86$4.931.5%
      Pizza $11.64$12.093.7%
      Beer $10.47$10.410.6%

      Health Care

      Item Hobbs National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $134.65$125.687.1%
      Doctor $146.52$135.787.9%
      Dentist $122.61$113.298.2%
      Ibuprofen $10.35$10.652.8%
      Lipitor $466.56$468.600.4%

      Housing

      Item Hobbs National avg. Difference
      Home Price $144,000.00$184,700.0022.0%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,699.62$2,346.6927.6%
      Apartment Rent $923.00$949.002.7%

      Transportation

      Item Hobbs National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.06$3.4611.5%
      Tire Balancing $61.55$59.922.7%

      Utilities

      Item Hobbs National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $137.32$193.9929.2%
      Phone $207.58$192.258.0%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Monument, NM76937.1%
      Nadine, NM233972.6%
      North Hobbs, NM5,860982.2%
      Hobbs, NM38,475937.4%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Pleasant Grove, UT38,47411818.4%
      Mooresville, NC38,4981065.8%
      Evans, GA38,4431087.9%
      Florence, SC38,535955.2%
      Lynnwood, WA38,53814343.3%
      Hobbs, NM38,475937.4%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.