Bernalillo, NM vs La Cienega, NM

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Bernalillo is 17% cheaper than La Cienega. With a cost index of 84 vs 102, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Bernalillo to La Cienega should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Bernalillo is $1,061/month compared to $1,137/month in La Cienega — a 7% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Bernalillo is more affordable at $237,100 median vs $417,900.

Median household income in Bernalillo is $61,624 compared to $68,676 in La Cienega (-10.3%). The higher salaries in La Cienega partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Bernalillo spend roughly 20.7% of their income on rent, more than the 19.9% in La Cienega.