Los Alamos, NM vs Los Chaves, NM

The cost of living difference between Los Alamos, NM and Los Chaves, NM is dramatic. Los Chaves is 39.9% cheaper than Los Alamos, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Los Alamos has a cost index of 110 while Los Chaves sits at 79, 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 Los Alamos is $1,304/month compared to $860/month in Los Chaves — a 52% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Los Chaves is more affordable at $240,500 median vs $458,200.

Median household income in Los Alamos is $136,502 compared to $81,320 in Los Chaves (+67.9%). 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 Los Alamos spend roughly 11.5% of their income on rent, less than the 12.7% in Los Chaves.