Cost of Living in Socorro, NM

Population 8,540 · New Mexico · Data vintage 2023

52
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Socorro 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. Around 25% of residents live below the federal poverty line, a rate that tends to correlate with the income and housing figures above.

Geographically, Socorro is about 75 miles south of Albuquerque, the nearest large metro. Median home values run roughly 39% lower than Albuquerque's $267,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 53
Rent 51

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

About the Cost of Living in Socorro

The median home value in Socorro is $162,400 — 47% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $675/month, 49% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $51,343/year is 31% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 0.7%, 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 73.1°F and lows of 43.3°F. Overall, Socorro has a cost of living index of 52 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 48% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$162,400
47% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$134,785
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$675/mo
49% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.0x
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 60.0%
Renter-occupied 40.0%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$675
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,289/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
12.8 min
53% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
6.9%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
70.6%
Carpooled
6.6%
Walked
12.2%
Bicycle
2.6%
Work from home
6.9%

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
$51,343
31% below avg
Per Capita Income
$26,305
Unemployment Rate
0.7%
86% below avg
Poverty Rate
24.9%
Labor Force Participation
48.9%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 13.8%
Graduate degree 14.1%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 36.4
Male median age 35.2
Female median age 38.3

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
73.1°F
Avg Low
43.3°F
Annual Precip
8.6"
20° 40° 60° 80° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 515766748394949184746050
Low °F 222735425160656356433123
Precip" 0.420.440.390.370.380.491.881.051.021.020.430.66

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 14 — Good
99.2%
Good air days/yr
51
Max AQI recorded
118
PM2.5 days
0
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

67%
4-Year Graduation Rate
14.8:1
Student-teacher ratio
6
Public schools
1,613
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Socorro, NM?

Socorro has a cost index of 52 (100 = national average). It is 48% below the national average.

What is average rent in Socorro, NM?

The median gross rent in Socorro is $675 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Socorro?

The median home value in Socorro is $162,400 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Socorro?

The median household income in Socorro is $51,343 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Socorro, NM?

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

Is Socorro, NM affordable?

Yes, Socorro is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 52 — about 48% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Socorro?

Socorro has average high temperatures of 73.1°F and average lows of 43.3°F. Annual precipitation is 8.6". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Socorro at a Glance

Population
8,540
Median Income
$51,343
Home Value
$162,400
Median Rent
$675/mo
Unemployment
0.7%
Avg High Temp
73.1°F
Sales Tax
7.7%
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