Cost of Living in La Cienega, NM

With a cost of living index of 102, La Cienega, NM is right around the national average in cost. Living here is 2% more expensive than the national average and 15% above the New Mexico state average of 86. La Cienega is a small community of 3,780 residents.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in La Cienega's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $1,137 (14% below the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $417,900 (37% above the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 6.1x the median household income — a challenging ratio that puts homeownership out of reach for many residents.

The median household income in La Cienega is $68,676, which is 9% lower than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 20% of household income on rent. This is a comfortable ratio, well below the 30% threshold that financial experts recommend as a maximum.

Everyday prices in the Santa Fe, NM (Metropolitan Statistical Area) metro area are generally below the national average. Out of 6 common items tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 6 are priced lower than the US average. These real-world prices — from groceries to electricity — add up and should be factored into any cost of living comparison.

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.