City Comparison

Irving vs Santa Fe

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Irving

Texas
100
Average
$318,000
Median Home
$1,350/mo
Median Rent
$73,400
Median Income

Santa Fe

New Mexico
117
Above Average
$480,000
Median Home
$1,600/mo
Median Rent
$61,982
Median Income

The Verdict

14.5%

Living in Irving costs 14.5% less than Santa Fe. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Irving, you would need $87,750 in Santa Fe.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
94
Irving
153
Santa Fe
Groceries
99
Irving
103
Santa Fe
Utilities
111
Irving
96
Santa Fe
Transportation
97
Irving
99
Santa Fe
Healthcare
103
Irving
95
Santa Fe

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Irving has the same purchasing power as $87,750 in Santa Fe.

Conversely, $75,000 in Santa Fe equals $64,103 in Irving.

Living in Irving vs Santa Fe

Housing Costs

Irving's housing index of 94 is lower Santa Fe's 153, translating to median home prices of $318,000 vs $480,000. The $162,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,536 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,350/mo in Irving compared to $1,600/mo in Santa Fe, a monthly difference of $250.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Irving and 103 in Santa Fe. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Irving vs $489/month in Santa Fe. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 111 in Irving and 96 in Santa Fe. Monthly utility bills average approximately $444 in Irving vs $384 in Santa Fe. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 103 in Irving and 95 in Santa Fe. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $73,400 in Irving and $61,982 in Santa Fe. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $73,400 and $52,976 respectively. Irving residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,713/month to housing in Irving vs $1,446/month in Santa Fe. In Irving, median rent of $1,350/mo fits within this budget. In Santa Fe, median rent of $1,600/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 59 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Irving is 14.5% more affordable overall with an index of 100 vs 117.
A $75,000 salary in Irving has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $87,750 in Santa Fe, based on the cost of living difference.
Irving's housing index is 94 with median homes at $318,000, while Santa Fe's is 153 with median homes at $480,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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