Bernalillo, NM vs Los Alamos, NM

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Bernalillo is 23.2% cheaper than Los Alamos. With a cost index of 84 vs 110, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Bernalillo to Los Alamos should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Bernalillo is $1,061/month compared to $1,304/month in Los Alamos — a 19% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Bernalillo is more affordable at $237,100 median vs $458,200.

Median household income in Bernalillo is $61,624 compared to $136,502 in Los Alamos (-54.9%). 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 Bernalillo spend roughly 20.7% of their income on rent, more than the 11.5% in Los Alamos.