City cost comparison
Santa Fe vs Albuquerque
Housing, childcare, healthcare, food, and education — side by side for families weighing Santa Fe, NM against Albuquerque, NM.
Comparison matrix
Emerald badges flag the cheaper city for each line item; rose marks when the other city wins on cost.
| Metric | Santa Fe, NM | Albuquerque, NM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HousingFamily housing premium / month | $945 | $536 | +76% cheaper in Albuquerque |
| ChildcareAvg monthly (infant → school-age) | $1,214 | $969 | +25% cheaper in Albuquerque |
| HealthcareFamily premium share + child OOP / month | $617 | $531 | +16% cheaper in Albuquerque |
| FoodPer child / month | $343 | $290 | +18% cheaper in Albuquerque |
| EducationAnnual baseline ÷ 12 | $82 | $69 | +19% cheaper in Albuquerque |
Illustrative planning baselines (updated 2026-01-15 / 2026-01-15). Verify local rates before major decisions.