Belen, NM vs Chaparral, NM

Chaparral is moderately more affordable than Belen, with a 8.6% lower cost of living index. Belen scores 72 compared to 66 for Chaparral, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Belen can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Belen is $877/month compared to $874/month in Chaparral — a 0% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Chaparral is more affordable at $101,900 median vs $154,600.

Median household income in Belen is $40,354 compared to $46,102 in Chaparral (-12.5%). Chaparral offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Belen spend roughly 26.1% of their income on rent, more than the 22.7% in Chaparral.