Living in Santa Fe, NM
Santa Fe is the 398th-largest city in the US, home to about 90,000 people in 2025 and the capital of New Mexico. It has grown 2.7% since 2020. Prices across the metro area run close to the national average (98.8 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 89,837+2.7% since 2020
- Median home value
- $444,9006.1 years of median income
- Median rent
- $1,463/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $73,482median, per year
- Price level
- 98.8US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 43° / 86°lows 18° / 55°
- Average commute
- 21 min17% work from home
- State income tax
- 5.9%top rate, graduated
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County: Santa Fe County
Time zone: Mountain Time (UTC-7, UTC-6 in summer)
Elevation: about 6,995 ft
Metro area: Santa Fe, NM
Cost of living in Santa Fe
The median home in Santa Fe is worth $444,900 and the median household earns $73,482 a year, so a typical home costs about 6.1 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,463 a month, about 24% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Santa Fe, NM metro area at 98.8, with housing at 108.0 and goods at 96.1 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $74,100 here. New Mexico taxes wages at a top rate of 5.9%. The average combined state and local sales tax in New Mexico is 7.68%.
What would my salary be worth in Santa Fe?
Santa Fe weather
Average highs run from 43°F in January to 86°F in July, and January nights average 18°F. It gets 13 inches of rain and melted snow a year and 20 inches of snow. Nights drop below freezing about 168 times a year. The most comfortable months are June to September.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Santa Fe
People and work
The median resident is 46.3 years old, and 48% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 64% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 21 minutes; 17% of workers work from home.
- Median age
- 46.3539th youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 48%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 64%of households
- People per sq mile
- 1,72052.2 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 1%3% walk, 0.7% bike
- Unemployment
- 5.1%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 12.9%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1986median year
Who moves to Santa Fe, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Los Angeles (Los Angeles County), Austin (Travis County) and Phoenix (Maricopa County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Phoenix (Maricopa County), Los Angeles (Los Angeles County) and Denver (Denver County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
FEMA rating for Santa Fe County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: wildfire, winter weather, lightning.
Home prices
+4% in a year
Up 42% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Santa Fe, NM area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
78% good days
0 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the Santa Fe, NM area (365 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near Santa Fe
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near Santa Fe
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe Regional Airport SAF | 7 mi | 180,248 |
| Albuquerque International Sunport Airport ABQ | 55 mi | 2,690,218 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Frost dates and fall color in Santa Fe
Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before May 14, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around September 29 and the first frost comes around October 6.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Santa Fe 2, NM, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Santa Fe.
Wildfire smoke in Santa Fe
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Santa Fe on about 62 days a year, including about 12 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in Santa Fe
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 41,921 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in Santa Fe
Downtown Santa Fe is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe Public Schools | Pre-K to 12 | 11,299 | 29 | 13.3 |
Other districts within 10 miles: Pojoaque Valley Public Schools (1,506 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
Santa Fe's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Santa Fe's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- Greeley, CO79% matchCompare
- Nampa, ID77% matchCompare
- Caldwell, ID74% matchCompare
- Loveland, CO74% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Stargazing near Santa Fe
The nearest certified International Dark Sky Places:
Designations by DarkSky International as recorded in Wikidata (CC0). All dark sky places.
Ski resorts near Santa Fe
- Ski Santa Fe 14 miles, 11,214 ft
- Pajarito Mountain Ski Area 28 miles
- Sandia Peak Ski Area 39 miles
- Sipapu 42 miles
Straight-line distance. All ski resorts.
Pros and cons of living in Santa Fe
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data Commutes are short: 21 minutes each way on average.
Cons
- Nothing stands out in the data. Locals, what should newcomers know?
Santa Fe report card from locals
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Santa Fe through locals' eyes
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Cities near Santa Fe
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rio Rancho, NM | 48 mi | 114,419 | $310,200 | 95.5 | Compare |
| Albuquerque, NM | 57 mi | 556,588 | $291,500 | 95.5 | Compare |
| Pueblo, CO | 195 mi | 110,404 | $247,200 | 91.8 | Compare |
| Colorado Springs, CO | 229 mi | 494,743 | $452,600 | 100.7 | Compare |
| Amarillo, TX | 232 mi | 205,130 | $196,900 | 91.8 | Compare |
| Las Cruces, NM | 235 mi | 116,978 | $231,700 | 90.2 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Santa Fe with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Santa Fe a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show short commutes; the trade-offs are expensive homes relative to local incomes. Compare Santa Fe side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Santa Fe?
The Census Bureau estimates Santa Fe had 89,837 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 87,508 in April 2020 (+2.7%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Santa Fe?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $74,100 in the Santa Fe area. The median household here earns $73,482.
When is the best time to visit Santa Fe?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, June to September are the most comfortable months. July averages 86°F and January 43°F for daytime highs.
What county is Santa Fe in?
Santa Fe is in Santa Fe County, New Mexico. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Santa Fe in?
Santa Fe is on Mountain Time (UTC-7, or UTC-6 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of Santa Fe?
About 6,995 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city. At over a mile high, the air is thinner and the sun is stronger.
Does New Mexico have a state income tax?
Yes. New Mexico has a graduated income tax with a top rate of 5.9% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Santa Fe. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Santa Fe, NM metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Santa Fe 2, NM station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.