| Index | Santa Fe | Texas | National |
| Cost of living | 100 | 94 | 100 |
| Groceries | 99 | 98 | 100 |
| Health care | 98 | 98 | 100 |
| Housing | 101 | 83 | 100 |
| Transportation | 97 | 98 | 100 |
| Utilities | 103 | 103 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 99 | 98 | 100 |
| Household Items | 101 | 98 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 103 | 98 | 100 |
Knowing the cost of living in Santa Fe 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 Santa Fe stands at 100, marking it 0% equal to the national average.
The cost of living in Santa Fe aligns closely with the national average when compared to other cities across the nation. Everyday essentials such as groceries, household expenses, health care and utility bills are priced at a level consistent with the average in similar urban areas. Santa Fe residents can anticipate that their daily expenses won't be significantly higher than those in an average city, ensuring that the cost of living remains manageable.
Is Santa Fe 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 Santa Fe, the median home price is 5.2% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 7.1% lower than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Santa Fe boasting a median household income of $116,857, 43.7% higher than the national average.
Transportation: In cities with limited or no public transportation, residents may find it necessary to own and maintain vehicles, thereby elevating the cost of living. Monthly expenditures include fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potential lease or financing commitments. In Santa Fe, the transportation index stands at 3.2% lower than the national average.
Housing: High demand for housing in desirable locations can drive up property prices and rental rates. This can be a primary contributor to a higher cost of living. While low demand for housing, especially in undesirable locations, can have the reverse effect and drive prices down, resulting in a lower cost of living. The housing index in Santa Fe, is 1.5% higher 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 Santa Fe, the utilities index stands at 2.6% higher than the national average.
The Santa Fe cost of living estimates above use a normalized U.S. average of 100 as the baseline for comparison. Housing values incorporate local home price and rental information from the U.S. Census, while all other estimates are AI-assisted and modeled using expected everyday expenses, local market trends, climate, and transportation-related cost pressures. The results are intended for practical city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $127,546 | $10,629 | $2,976 | $3,827 |
| Renters | $45,938 | $3,828 | $1,072 | $1,378 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Texas | 6.25% | 8.25% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Texas | 0% | 0% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Liverpool, TX | 533 | 85 | 14.5% |
| La Marque, TX | 17,391 | 91 | 9.0% |
| Hitchcock, TX | 8,085 | 91 | 8.9% |
| Texas City, TX | 50,965 | 93 | 6.8% |
| Bacliff, TX | 11,876 | 95 | 4.7% |
| Santa Fe, TX | 13,759 | 100 | 0.0% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| South Park Township, PA | 13,760 | 94 | 5.7% |
| Lyndhurst, OH | 13,763 | 96 | 4.2% |
| Palos Verdes Estates, CA | 13,749 | 332 | 232.2% |
| Superior, CO | 13,747 | 161 | 60.8% |
| Brainerd, MN | 13,746 | 92 | 8.3% |
| Santa Fe, TX | 13,759 | 100 | 0.0% |
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