Cost of Living in Taos, NM

Population 6,468 · New Mexico · Data vintage 2023

113

Cost Index
(100 = US avg)

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

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

Household incomes in Taos run well below national norms — a median of $46,579 versus the $74,580 US figure. Housing costs and rents do not fully compensate for the earnings difference. At 7.2%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.

Geographically, Taos lies roughly 100 miles northeast of the nearest major metro, Rio Rancho. Median home values run roughly 58% higher than Rio Rancho's $273,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 142

Rent 70

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

About the Cost of Living in Taos

The median home value in Taos is $432,700 — 42% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $915/month, 30% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $46,579/year is 38% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 7.2%, 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%. Overall, Taos has a cost of living index of 113 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 13% more expensive.

📍

Taos 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:

Española, NM

Median home: $205,100

Rent: $832/mo

Income: $47,664

Los Alamos, NM

Median home: $458,200

Rent: $1,304/mo

Income: $136,502

Santa Fe, NM

Median home: $411,500

Rent: $1,380/mo

Income: $70,110

Las Vegas, NM

Median home: $143,900

Rent: $731/mo

Income: $42,732

Rio Rancho, NM

Median home: $273,300

Rent: $1,481/mo

Income: $85,755

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value

$432,700

42% above avg

Zillow Home Value

$431,553

Zillow ZHVI

Median Rent

$915/mo

30% below avg

Zillow Rent

$2,300/mo

Zillow ZORI

Price-to-Rent Ratio

39.4x

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 60.1%

Renter-occupied 39.9%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent

$915

Groceries national estimate

$400

Utilities local estimate

$88

Transportation local gas prices

$126

Estimated Total $1,529/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

24.1 min

11% below avg

Gas Price

$3.145/gal

0% below avg

Work From Home

12.5%

Commute Mode

Drove alone

70.8%

Carpooled

7.8%

Public transit

1.5%

Walked

5.7%

Bicycle

0.7%

Work from home

12.5%

⚡ 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

$46,579

38% below avg

Per Capita Income

$40,667

Unemployment Rate

7.2%

49% above avg

Poverty Rate

13.5%

Labor Force Participation

54.9%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 17.3%

Graduate degree 18.9%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 52.2

Male median age 47.9

Female median age 54.9

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 20 — Good

94.9%

Good air days/yr

Max AQI recorded

350

PM2.5 days

Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

70%

4-Year Graduation Rate

13.1:1

Student-teacher ratio

Public schools

2,731

Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Taos, NM?

Taos has a cost index of 113 (100 = national average). It is 13% above the national average.

What is average rent in Taos, NM?

The median gross rent in Taos is $915 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Taos?

The median home value in Taos is $432,700 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Taos?

The median household income in Taos is $46,579 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Taos, NM?

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

Is Taos, NM affordable?

Taos is above average in cost of living, with an index of 113 — about 13% higher than the national average.

Taos at a Glance

Population: 6,468
Median Income: $46,579
Home Value: $432,700
Median Rent: $915/mo
Unemployment: 7.2%
Sales Tax: 7.7%

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