Carlsbad, NM vs Los Alamos, NM

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Carlsbad is 23.4% 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 Carlsbad to Los Alamos should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Carlsbad is $1,206/month compared to $1,304/month in Los Alamos — a 8% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Carlsbad is more affordable at $187,900 median vs $458,200.

Median household income in Carlsbad is $78,277 compared to $136,502 in Los Alamos (-42.7%). 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 Carlsbad spend roughly 18.5% of their income on rent, more than the 11.5% in Los Alamos.