Belen, NM vs Los Alamos, NM

The cost of living difference between Belen, NM and Los Alamos, NM is dramatic. Belen is 34.4% cheaper than Los Alamos, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Belen has a cost index of 72 while Los Alamos sits at 110, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Belen is $877/month compared to $1,304/month in Los Alamos — a 33% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Belen is more affordable at $154,600 median vs $458,200.

Median household income in Belen is $40,354 compared to $136,502 in Los Alamos (-70.4%). While Los Alamos is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Belen spend roughly 26.1% of their income on rent, more than the 11.5% in Los Alamos.