C-
15%
Overall NAT. AVG.
0%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
53%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Los Alamos New Mexico National
Cost of living11593100
Goods & Services10097100
Groceries9797100
Health care9697100
Housing15386100
Transportation9395100
Utilities9990100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Los Alamos, NM

The cost of living in Los Alamos affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Los Alamos is 115, which is 15% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

When it comes to the cost of living in Los Alamos, housing costs are a real heavyweight, often hogging a significant chunk of your earnings. Sadly, in this area, housing expenses for both buying and renting were 53.3% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, mortgage rates and insurance.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Los Alamos?

Locals have the inside scoop on their city. So, we polled 16 residents in Los Alamos to learn how they view the cost of living. We asked how they felt about the cost of living in their area, and if they thought that prices were increasing, decreasing or staying the same. The verdict? 19% find it reasonable with decreasing prices, but 81% think it's quite pricey, with prices that continue to rise.

Is Los Alamos Affordable?

Is Los Alamos affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Los Alamos, the median home price is 71.7% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 10.2% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Los Alamos boasting a median household income of $114,034, 106.1% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Los Alamos?

Healthcare: Healthcare expenditures and insurance premium rates can vary significantly, contingent upon the particular city or state. Factors such as the accessibility of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs, and expenses related to specialized medical care can all have an impact on the overall cost of living. In Los Alamos, healthcare costs are 4.3% lower than the national average.

Taxes: Cities that enforce higher taxes, covering both sales taxes and income taxes, can be a factor contributing to a higher cost of living. Paying more in taxes for everyday essentials like clothing and food inevitably leads to higher expenses. A higher income tax rate can further contribute to an overall elevated cost of living. In Los Alamos, the baseline sales tax rate begins at 5%, and income tax rates start at 1.7%.

Housing: A sought-after location with high housing demand often leads to increased property values and rental rates, which can significantly inflate the overall cost of living. Conversely, areas with low housing demand, particularly in less desirable locales, tend to experience the opposite effect, causing prices to drop and contributing to a more affordable cost of living. In Los Alamos, the housing index stands at 53.3% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Los Alamos, presented above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index, offering a practical method for assessing living cost disparities in urban areas. Published quarterly, this index compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services in 6 categories. The weightings assigned to cost variances are informed by government survey data tracking the expenditure patterns of professional and executive households. It should be noted that the C2ER index does not include data on sales or income tax rates, however, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each area.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Los Alamos is 24% higher than the New Mexico average
  • The cost of living in Los Alamos is 15% higher than the national average
  • Los Alamos housing is 53% higher than the national average
  • New Mexico general sales tax is 2% lower than the national average
  • New Mexico state income tax is 35% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Los Alamos

See all the best places to live around Los Alamos

Compare Los Alamos, NM Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$142,370$11,864$3,322$4,272
      Renters$82,072$6,839$1,915$2,462
      The percentage of monthly income spent on housing related expenses can help predict the affordability of housing in Los Alamos, NM, as well as what the overall cost of living might be. Generally, a good rule to follow is that the debt-to-income (DTI) level you want to maintain is 28 percent or less of your income on your rent or mortgage payments and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses and debts. In Los Alamos, homeowners have a median income of $142,370. Using that number, a maximum of $3,322 per month should be allocated to housing expenses. For those who are renting instead of owning, the median income is $82,072, which means there is a maximum of $1,915 to be spent on the costs of renting a home or apartment.

      New Mexico Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      New Mexico 5% 8.688%

      New Mexico Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      New Mexico 1.7% 5.9%

      Goods & Services

      Item Los Alamos National avg. Difference
      Haircut $31.90$24.2631.5%
      Beauty Salon $50.83$45.5611.6%
      Toothpaste $3.62$3.702.3%
      Shampoo $1.15$1.2810.5%
      Movie $12.54$12.133.3%
      Bowling $20.89$18.0016.1%

      Groceries

      Item Los Alamos National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.11$5.8412.5%
      Fried Chicken $1.32$1.5716.1%
      Milk $4.63$4.671.0%
      Potatoes $4.18$4.9315.3%
      Pizza $13.42$12.0911.0%
      Beer $11.07$10.416.4%

      Health Care

      Item Los Alamos National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $136.89$125.688.9%
      Doctor $134.17$135.781.2%
      Dentist $111.42$113.291.7%
      Ibuprofen $10.43$10.652.1%
      Lipitor $380.06$468.6018.9%

      Housing

      Item Los Alamos National avg. Difference
      Home Price $317,200.00$184,700.0071.7%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,905.97$2,346.6918.8%
      Apartment Rent $1,046.00$949.0010.2%

      Transportation

      Item Los Alamos National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.50$3.461.1%
      Tire Balancing $43.87$59.9226.8%

      Utilities

      Item Los Alamos National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $191.24$193.991.4%
      Phone $190.51$192.250.9%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      El Duende, NM681982.1%
      La Villita, NM312982.1%
      Hernandez, NM931927.9%
      Española, NM10,071946.5%
      Santa Cruz, NM193945.9%
      Los Alamos, NM12,97811514.5%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      El Dorado, KS12,9768514.5%
      New Kingman-Butler, AZ12,9817821.7%
      Plover, WI12,981936.8%
      Claremont, NH12,9691066.0%
      Lynnfield, MA12,96818080.3%
      Los Alamos, NM12,97811514.5%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.