Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Santa Fe and Tacoma 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: New Mexico salaries · Washington salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Santa Fe has a housing index of 153 while Tacoma sits at 140 (national average = 100). The median home in Santa Fe costs $480,000 compared to $400,000 in Tacoma, a difference of $80,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,600 in Santa Fe versus $1,600 in Tacoma.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Santa Fe scores 103 while Tacoma scores 105. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Santa Fe (95) are lower than Tacoma (106). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Santa Fe is $61,982 compared to $58,974 in Tacoma. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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