Los Alamos, NM vs Silver City, NM

The cost of living difference between Los Alamos, NM and Silver City, NM is dramatic. Silver City is 54.3% 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 Silver City sits at 71, 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 $851/month in Silver City — a 53% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Silver City is more affordable at $160,900 median vs $458,200.

Median household income in Los Alamos is $136,502 compared to $39,025 in Silver City (+249.8%). 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 26.2% in Silver City.