| Index | Los Alamos | New Mexico | National |
| Cost of living | 115 | 94 | 100 |
| Groceries | 96 | 98 | 100 |
| Health care | 95 | 98 | 100 |
| Housing | 157 | 85 | 100 |
| Transportation | 95 | 98 | 100 |
| Utilities | 99 | 97 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 100 | 96 | 100 |
| Household Items | 99 | 98 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 92 | 96 | 100 |
The cost of living in Los Alamos 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 Los Alamos is 115, which is 15% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.
Housing costs are a major factor in the Los Alamos cost of living index, and they often eat up a big chunk of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, housing expenses for both homeownership and rentals were 57.2% higher than what's typical in an average city. That includes the prices of homes and rents, as well as mortgage rates and insurance.
The most insightful perspective on a city comes from its residents. We recently surveyed 20 locals to gauge their perception of the cost of living in Los Alamos. The feedback revealed that 15% of respondents found the cost of living to be reasonable, with prices on the decline, while 85% regarded it as notably expensive with prices that continue to rise.
Is Los Alamos affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Los Alamos, the median home price is 77.4% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 10.1% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Los Alamos boasting a median household income of $170,572, 109.7% higher than the national average.
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.
Taxes: Areas with higher taxes, including sales taxes and income taxes, can contribute to a higher cost of living. Paying more tax for everyday household expenses like clothing and food will result in higher costs, as will paying a higher rate of income tax. The general sales tax rate in Los Alamos starts at 5% and the income tax rates start at 1.7%.
Utilities: Similar to the prices of any goods or services, utility expenses can fluctuate widely, contingent on variables such as climate, available energy sources, geographical location and state regulations. Costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can differ in magnitude, depending on the specific city or state. In Los Alamos, the utilities index registers at 1.2% lower than the national average.
The Los Alamos cost of living data above is designed around a U.S. average baseline of 100, allowing for easy comparisons of relative living costs. Housing incorporates U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other figures are AI-assisted estimates that account for regional price trends, climate, transportation dynamics, and common everyday expenses. These values are best used as directional city-to-city comparisons.
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| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $209,510 | $17,459 | $4,888 | $6,286 |
| Renters | $123,778 | $10,315 | $2,888 | $3,714 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| New Mexico | 5% | 8.688% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| New Mexico | 1.7% | 5.9% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| La Villita, NM | 318 | 96 | 3.6% |
| El Duende, NM | 696 | 96 | 3.6% |
| Hernandez, NM | 956 | 91 | 9.0% |
| Española, NM | 10,349 | 93 | 7.2% |
| Santa Cruz, NM | 197 | 93 | 6.9% |
| Los Alamos, NM | 13,326 | 115 | 14.7% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Edgewater, NJ | 13,325 | 172 | 71.7% |
| Marshall, MO | 13,323 | 88 | 12.4% |
| Greenwich, CT | 13,319 | 234 | 133.9% |
| Coolidge, AZ | 13,315 | 94 | 5.9% |
| Grass Valley, CA | 13,311 | 129 | 28.8% |
| Los Alamos, NM | 13,326 | 115 | 14.7% |
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