Cost of Living in Jal, NM

With a cost of living index of 76, Jal, NM is a very affordable place to live. Living here is 24% cheaper than the national average and 10% below the New Mexico state average of 86. Jal is a small community of 2,069 residents.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Jal's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $1,155 (12% below the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $105,400 (65% below the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 1.7x the median household income — well within traditional affordability guidelines.

The median household income in Jal is $60,703, which is 19% lower than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 23% of household income on rent. This is a comfortable ratio, well below the 30% threshold that financial experts recommend as a maximum. Lower incomes here are balanced by the significantly lower cost of living, stretching each dollar further.

Data sources: US Census Bureau (ACS 2023), Zillow Home Values, HUD Fair Market Rents, BEA Regional Price Parities, BLS Average Prices, and NOAA Climate Normals. Updated monthly.