Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Denver and Santa Fe have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Colorado salaries · New Mexico salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Denver has a housing index of 152 while Santa Fe sits at 153 (national average = 100). The median home in Denver costs $520,000 compared to $480,000 in Santa Fe, a difference of $40,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,900 in Denver versus $1,600 in Santa Fe.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Denver scores 102 while Santa Fe scores 103. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Denver (104) are higher than Santa Fe (95). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Denver is $72,661 compared to $61,982 in Santa Fe. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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