A
0%
Overall NAT. AVG.
4%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
4%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; 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 North Valley New Mexico National
Cost of living10093100
Goods & Services10499100
Groceries9897100
Health care108112100
Housing10485100
Transportation9493100
Utilities8583100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in North Valley, NM

Knowing the cost of living in North Valley allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in North Valley stands at 100, marking it 0% equal to the national average.

In North Valley, daily expenses such as food, housing, goods and services, transportation and health care are in line with comparable areas and about average when compared to all cities across the nation. This ensures that the cost of living in North Valley will resemble that of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.

Is North Valley Affordable?

Is North Valley affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take North Valley, for instance, where the median home price falls 15% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 23% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with North Valley flaunting a median household income of $79,026, 2.8% lower than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in North Valley?

Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In North Valley, the transportation index is 5.9% lower than the national average.

Groceries: Grocery expenditures have undergone notable escalation over the last 2-3 years. In some markets, the cost of food products has surged by more than 20%, while others have experienced only modest increments. These fluctuations in food costs can have a significant impact on the overall cost of living in any region. In North Valley, the groceries index registers 2.2% lower than the national average.

Utilities: Much like any other costs, utility expenses can exhibit considerable variations, influenced by factors such as climate, available energy sources, geographic location and state regulations. The costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can vary significantly depending on the city or state in question. In North Valley, the utilities index stands at 15.5% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in North Valley, 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.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in North Valley is 8% higher than the New Mexico average
  • The cost of living in North Valley is equal to the national average
  • North Valley housing is 4% higher 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 North Valley

See all the best places to live around North Valley

Compare North Valley, NM Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      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$79,341$6,612$1,851$2,380
      Renters$64,784$5,399$1,512$1,944
      A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in North Valley is by simply calculating the maximum that should be spent on housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The plan is to avoid spending more than 28 percent of the gross income on costs that pertain to housing and no more than 36 percent on all expenses and debts. North Valley has a median income of about $79,341 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $1,851 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $64,784. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $1,512 on all rental costs if they want to maintain a non-impoverished standard of living.

      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 North Valley National avg. Difference
      Haircut $36.08$27.6230.6%
      Beauty Salon $51.64$51.111.0%
      Toothpaste $4.00$4.092.3%
      Shampoo $1.36$1.5411.8%
      Movie $12.15$12.885.7%
      Yoga $19.42$19.661.2%

      Groceries

      Item North Valley National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $8.29$7.707.6%
      Fried Chicken $1.46$1.6612.2%
      Milk $4.65$4.731.8%
      Potatoes $4.96$5.265.6%
      Pizza $13.64$12.766.9%
      Beer $10.58$10.550.3%

      Health Care

      Item North Valley National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $173.61$140.0624.0%
      Doctor $145.18$153.825.6%
      Dentist $107.62$123.1512.6%
      Ibuprofen $11.73$11.730.0%
      Lipitor $35.21$23.6149.1%

      Housing

      Item North Valley National avg. Difference
      Home Price $375,597.00$326,622.0015.0%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,169.16$2,480.2512.5%
      Apartment Rent $1,112.00$1,444.0023.0%

      Transportation

      Item North Valley National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.00$3.061.8%
      Tire Balancing $55.00$65.2115.7%

      Utilities

      Item North Valley National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $167.22$220.1224.0%
      Phone $193.43$195.711.2%
      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.
      Pajarito Mesa, NM3167723.5%
      Placitas CDP (Doña Ana County), NM7507920.6%
      Monterey Park, NM1,1358613.6%
      Santa Ana Pueblo, NM963919.2%
      Indian Hills, NM839927.8%
      North Valley, NM13,8611000.3%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Gravenhurst, ON13,853n/a 
      Shiloh, IL13,870990.7%
      Nesconset, NY13,85116060.4%
      Washington, PA13,8489010.5%
      Gatesville, TX13,8758217.8%
      North Valley, NM13,8611000.3%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.