Cost of Living in El Cerro Mission, NM

Population 5,101 · New Mexico · Data vintage 2023

59
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

El Cerro Mission is a smaller New Mexico community of around 5000 residents, where median household incomes of $49,719 and housing costs ($101,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. At 18.0%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.

El Cerro Mission sits roughly 25 miles south of Albuquerque — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 62% lower than Albuquerque's $267,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 33
Rent 98

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in El Cerro Mission

The median home value in El Cerro Mission is $101,000 — 67% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,289/month, 2% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $49,719/year is 33% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 18.0%, above the national average of 4.8%. New Mexico's top state income tax rate is 5.9% and the combined sales tax is 7.7%. The climate averages highs of 70.3°F and lows of 45.5°F, with about 7.9" of annual snowfall. Overall, El Cerro Mission has a cost of living index of 59 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 41% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$101,000
67% below avg
Median Rent
$1,289/mo
2% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
6.5x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
0.8%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$678
1 BR
$790
2 BR
$933
3 BR
$1,307
4 BR
$1,549
Owner-occupied 81.5%
Renter-occupied 18.5%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,289
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,903/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
41.3 min
53% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
8.8%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
73.1%
Carpooled
16.2%
Public transit
0.7%
Work from home
8.8%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 5.9%
Total Sales Tax 7.7%
State rate 5.0%
Avg local rate 2.7%
Property Tax 0.8%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$49,719
33% below avg
Per Capita Income
$17,155
Unemployment Rate
18.0%
274% above avg
Poverty Rate
26.1%
Labor Force Participation
61.6%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 5.1%
Graduate degree 2.5%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 34.2
Male median age 32.6
Female median age 34.4

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
70.3°F
Avg Low
45.5°F
Annual Precip
8.8"
Annual Snowfall
7.9"
20° 40° 60° 80° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 485463708090918983715747
Low °F 263036435262676558463427
Precip" 0.360.430.460.510.440.571.641.311.150.870.570.53
Snow" 1.41.50.70.30.00.00.00.00.00.30.92.8

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 42 — Good
80.1%
Good air days/yr
87
Max AQI recorded
0
PM2.5 days
361
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in El Cerro Mission, NM?

El Cerro Mission has a cost index of 59 (100 = national average). It is 41% below the national average.

What is average rent in El Cerro Mission, NM?

The median gross rent in El Cerro Mission is $1,289 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in El Cerro Mission?

The median home value in El Cerro Mission is $101,000 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in El Cerro Mission?

The median household income in El Cerro Mission is $49,719 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in El Cerro Mission, NM?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in El Cerro Mission is 7.7%. The New Mexico state income tax top rate is 5.9%.

Is El Cerro Mission, NM affordable?

Yes, El Cerro Mission is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 59 — about 41% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in El Cerro Mission?

El Cerro Mission has average high temperatures of 70.3°F and average lows of 45.5°F. Annual precipitation is 8.8". Average annual snowfall is 7.9". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

El Cerro Mission at a Glance

Population
5,101
Median Income
$49,719
Home Value
$101,000
Median Rent
$1,289/mo
Unemployment
18.0%
Avg High Temp
70.3°F
Sales Tax
7.7%
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