Cost of living in Santa Fe
Santa Fe, the capital of New Mexico, is known for its rich cultural heritage and vibrant arts scene. Understanding the cost of living in this city is crucial for anyone considering moving here or planning a visit.
This guide provides a detailed breakdown of expenses in Santa Fe, covering everything from dining and groceries to housing and transportation.
Cost of Living Summary
Dining and Restaurants
- Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $18 on average, with a range between $10 and $30.
- Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $80, with prices ranging from $65 to $120.
- Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $10, with a range between $8.99 and $12.42.
- Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi) - Domestic beer ranges from $4.5 to $7, imported beer $6 to $9, cappuccino $3 to $8, and Coke/Pepsi $2 to $4.
Grocery Prices
- Milk - Milk is priced between $0.74 and $1.59 per liter, averaging $1.02.
- Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs between $1.3 and $6.61, with an average price of $2.7.
- Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs range from $1.79 to $6.99, averaging $3.24.
- Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges) - Apples cost $2.2 to $8.82 per kg, while oranges range from $2.2 to $11.02 per kg.
- Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce) - Potatoes are priced between $1.1 and $6.59 per kg, and lettuce costs $1.1 to $3 per head.
Transportation
- Public Transport (One-Way Ticket) - A one-way local transport ticket costs between $1 and $2.5.
- Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced between $0.76 and $1.05 per liter.
- Taxi Fares - Taxi fares start at $3, with a cost of $1.8 to $2.02 per km and $29 per hour of waiting.
Housing Costs
- 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $1700 to $2000, averaging $1816.67.
- 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $1500 to $1750, averaging $1620.
- 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $2650 to $4000, averaging $3383.33.
- 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $2000 to $3400, averaging $2466.67.
- Buying Price per Square Meter (City Centre) - The price per square meter to buy an apartment in the city centre ranges from $4187 to $9687.52, averaging $6937.26.
- Buying Price per Square Meter (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, the price per square meter ranges from $3638.2 to $4187, averaging $3864.19.
Utilities
- Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost between $130 and $363.61, averaging $211.52.
- Internet - Internet services range from $50 to $120, with an average cost of $79.08.
Cost of Living Rankings
The cost of living indices for the United States are compared to New York City (NYC), which serves as the baseline with an index of 100. These provide insights into the relative cost of living in different cities in United States, covering factors like consumer goods, rent, and purchasing power.
Cost of Living Data
Restaurants
Restaurants
Markets
Markets
Transportation
Transportation
Rent Per Month
Rent Per Month
Utilities (Monthly)
Utilities (Monthly)
Sports And Leisure
Sports And Leisure
Clothing And Shoes
Clothing And Shoes
Buy Apartment Price
Buy Apartment Price
Salaries And Financing
Salaries And Financing
Childcare
Childcare
"Key Takeaways"
Santa Fe offers a diverse range of dining options, with prices varying significantly between casual and upscale restaurants.
Grocery prices in Santa Fe are relatively moderate, though some items like cheese and beef can be on the higher end.
Transportation costs are manageable, with affordable public transport and competitive fuel prices.
Housing in Santa Fe can be expensive, particularly in the city centre, but there are more affordable options outside the centre.
Utilities and internet costs are in line with national averages, though it's advisable to budget for higher utility bills during peak seasons.
Conclusion
Overall, Santa Fe presents a balanced cost of living with certain areas like housing and dining being more expensive.
Prospective residents should consider their lifestyle preferences and budget accordingly, especially when it comes to housing and dining choices.
With its unique cultural offerings and beautiful surroundings, Santa Fe remains an attractive place to live despite the higher costs in some categories.