City cost comparison
Albuquerque vs Santa Fe
Housing, childcare, healthcare, food, and education — side by side for families weighing Albuquerque, NM against Santa Fe, NM.
Comparison matrix
Emerald badges flag the cheaper city for each line item; rose marks when the other city wins on cost.
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Santa Fe, NM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HousingFamily housing premium / month | $536 | $945 | +43% cheaper in Albuquerque |
| ChildcareAvg monthly (infant → school-age) | $969 | $1,214 | +20% cheaper in Albuquerque |
| HealthcareFamily premium share + child OOP / month | $531 | $617 | +14% cheaper in Albuquerque |
| FoodPer child / month | $290 | $343 | +16% cheaper in Albuquerque |
| EducationAnnual baseline ÷ 12 | $69 | $82 | +16% cheaper in Albuquerque |
Illustrative planning baselines (updated 2026-01-15 / 2026-01-15). Verify local rates before major decisions.