Cost of Living in Santa Teresa, NM

Population 5,973 · New Mexico · Data vintage 2023

81
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Santa Teresa sits on the smaller end of the New Mexico city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible. A poverty rate near 29% adds context to the income figures — well above the US average, and worth factoring into any comparison with cities on the coasts or in the Rockies.

Located 14 miles west of El Paso, Santa Teresa falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 26% higher than El Paso's $172,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 71
Rent 96

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

About the Cost of Living in Santa Teresa

The median home value in Santa Teresa is $216,600 — 29% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,259/month, 4% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $60,759/year is 19% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.4%, 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 78.6°F and lows of 53.8°F, with about 2.8" of annual snowfall. Overall, Santa Teresa has a cost of living index of 81 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 19% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$216,600
29% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$1,051,791
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,259/mo
4% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,666/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.3x
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 68.7%
Renter-occupied 31.3%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,259
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,873/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
30.1 min
11% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
5.1%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
79.8%
Carpooled
15.1%
Work from home
5.1%

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
$60,759
19% below avg
Per Capita Income
$25,362
Unemployment Rate
3.4%
29% below avg
Poverty Rate
28.9%
Labor Force Participation
56.1%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 22.9%
Graduate degree 15.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 33.2
Male median age 27.7
Female median age 35.6

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
78.6°F
Avg Low
53.8°F
Annual Precip
8.8"
Annual Snowfall
2.8"
30° 48° 65° 83° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 596472808997969488796758
Low °F 353946536271737265544234
Precip" 0.390.400.240.170.430.731.581.671.520.590.430.63
Snow" 0.80.20.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.51.3

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Santa Teresa, NM?

Santa Teresa has a cost index of 81 (100 = national average). It is 19% below the national average.

What is average rent in Santa Teresa, NM?

The median gross rent in Santa Teresa is $1,259 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Santa Teresa?

The median home value in Santa Teresa is $216,600 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Santa Teresa?

The median household income in Santa Teresa is $60,759 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Santa Teresa, NM?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Santa Teresa is 7.7%. The New Mexico state income tax top rate is 5.9%.

Is Santa Teresa, NM affordable?

Yes, Santa Teresa is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 81 — about 19% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Santa Teresa?

Santa Teresa has average high temperatures of 78.6°F and average lows of 53.8°F. Annual precipitation is 8.8". Average annual snowfall is 2.8". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Santa Teresa at a Glance

Population
5,973
Median Income
$60,759
Home Value
$216,600
Median Rent
$1,259/mo
Unemployment
3.4%
Avg High Temp
78.6°F
Sales Tax
7.7%
View all cities in New Mexico →
🗺️ County data for New Mexico

Explore county-level cost of living data

Similar Cost Cities

Cities in other states with comparable housing costs