Elephant Butte, NM vs Lee Acres, NM

Elephant Butte, NM and Lee Acres, NM have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.8% difference in their overall index. Elephant Butte scores 81 while Lee Acres scores 80 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Elephant Butte is $1,169/month compared to $1,137/month in Lee Acres — a 3% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Lee Acres has cheaper rent, Elephant Butte actually has lower median home values ($166,800 vs $182,200).

Median household income in Elephant Butte is $45,179 compared to $50,846 in Lee Acres (-11.1%). Lee Acres offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Elephant Butte spend roughly 31% of their income on rent, more than the 26.8% in Lee Acres. The Lee Acres ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.