Aztec, NM vs Portales, NM

Aztec, NM and Portales, NM have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.4% difference in their overall index. Aztec scores 67 while Portales scores 69 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Aztec is $765/month compared to $870/month in Portales — a 12% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Aztec has cheaper rent, Portales actually has lower median home values ($132,900 vs $164,700).

Median household income in Aztec is $42,699 compared to $51,290 in Portales (-16.7%). While Portales is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Aztec spend roughly 21.5% of their income on rent, more than the 20.4% in Portales.