Cost of Living in Placitas CDP (Sandoval County), NM

Population 4,375 · New Mexico · Data vintage 2023

159

Cost Index
(100 = US avg)

Page updated: April 2026 · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year

Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

With a median age of 63, Placitas CDP (Sandoval County) functions largely as a retirement market. Housing costs — $520,000 for a typical home — anchor most household budgets, and the state's treatment of pension income tends to matter more than wage-driven tax comparisons.

Geographically, Placitas CDP (Sandoval County) sits roughly 15 miles east of Rio Rancho. Median home values run roughly 90% higher than Rio Rancho's $273,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 171

Rent 142

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

About the Cost of Living in Placitas CDP (Sandoval County)

The median home value in Placitas CDP (Sandoval County) is $520,200 — 71% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,869/month, 42% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $110,268/year is 48% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.0%, below 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, Placitas CDP (Sandoval County) has a cost of living index of 159 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 59% more expensive.

📍

Placitas CDP (Sandoval County) has limited residential data

Detailed housing and income data is limited for this location. Here are the nearest cities with full cost of living data:

North Valley, NM

Median home: $290,500

Rent: $1,063/mo

Income: $67,115

Rio Rancho, NM

Median home: $273,300

Rent: $1,481/mo

Income: $85,755

Albuquerque, NM

Median home: $266,700

Rent: $1,085/mo

Income: $65,604

South Valley, NM

Median home: $205,200

Rent: $942/mo

Income: $51,062

Santa Fe, NM

Median home: $411,500

Rent: $1,380/mo

Income: $70,110

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value

$520,200

71% above avg

Median Rent

$1,869/mo

42% above avg

Price-to-Rent Ratio

23.2x

Favors renting

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 91.6%

Renter-occupied 8.4%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent

$1,869

Groceries national estimate

$400

Utilities local estimate

$88

Transportation local gas prices

$126

Estimated Total $2,483/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

32.8 min

21% above avg

Gas Price

$3.145/gal

0% below avg

Work From Home

32.6%

Commute Mode

Drove alone

62.3%

Carpooled

2.9%

Public transit

1.0%

Walked

0.8%

Work from home

32.6%

⚡ 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

$110,268

48% above avg

Per Capita Income

$71,685

Unemployment Rate

3.0%

37% below avg

Poverty Rate

2.0%

Labor Force Participation

49.3%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 27.4%

Graduate degree 32.8%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 63.2

Male median age 62.8

Female median age 63.4

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High

70.3°F

Avg Low

45.5°F

Annual Precip

8.8"

Annual Snowfall

7.9"

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	48	54	63	70	80	90	91	89	83	71	57	47
Low °F	26	30	36	43	52	62	67	65	58	46	34	27
Precip"	0.36	0.43	0.46	0.51	0.44	0.57	1.64	1.31	1.15	0.87	0.57	0.53
Snow"	1.4	1.5	0.7	0.3	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.3	0.9	2.8

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 44 — Good

79.4%

Good air days/yr

Max AQI recorded

PM2.5 days

340

Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Placitas CDP (Sandoval County), NM?

Placitas CDP (Sandoval County) has a cost index of 159 (100 = national average). It is 59% above the national average.

What is average rent in Placitas CDP (Sandoval County), NM?

The median gross rent in Placitas CDP (Sandoval County) is $1,869 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Placitas CDP (Sandoval County)?

The median home value in Placitas CDP (Sandoval County) is $520,200 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Placitas CDP (Sandoval County)?

The median household income in Placitas CDP (Sandoval County) is $110,268 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Placitas CDP (Sandoval County), NM?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Placitas CDP (Sandoval County) is 7.7%. The New Mexico state income tax top rate is 5.9%.

Is Placitas CDP (Sandoval County), NM affordable?

Placitas CDP (Sandoval County) is above average in cost of living, with an index of 159 — about 59% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Placitas CDP (Sandoval County)?

Placitas CDP (Sandoval County) 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.

Placitas CDP (Sandoval County) at a Glance

Population: 4,375
Median Income: $110,268
Home Value: $520,200
Median Rent: $1,869/mo
Unemployment: 3.0%
Avg High Temp: 70.3°F
Sales Tax: 7.7%

View all cities in New Mexico →

Nearby Cities

🗺️ County data for New Mexico

Explore county-level cost of living data

New Mexico Rankings

Similar Cost Cities

Cities in other states with comparable housing costs