Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
4% cheaper
Hartford is 4% more affordable than Santa Fe. A $75,000 salary in Santa Fe is equivalent to $71,795 in Hartford.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Connecticut salaries · New Mexico salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Hartford has a housing index of 121 while Santa Fe sits at 153 (national average = 100). The median home in Hartford costs $215,000 compared to $480,000 in Santa Fe, a difference of $265,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,200 in Hartford versus $1,600 in Santa Fe.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Hartford scores 106 while Santa Fe scores 103.
Healthcare costs in Hartford (114) are higher than Santa Fe (95).
Median household income in Hartford is $40,068 compared to $61,982 in Santa Fe. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Hartford.
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