Carlsbad, NM Cost Of Living

Demographics | Crime | Cost Of Living
Updated: 2025-10-24

Cost Of Living In Carlsbad, NM Summary

Cost of living in Carlsbad research summary. The cost of living index is set to 100 for the average place in the United States. A cost of living index above 100 means Carlsbad is expensive. An index value below 100 means the city is a relatively cheap place to live.

On a city-by-city basis in New Mexico, home prices and rent have the biggest impact on the cost of living. Here are the key takeaways based on Saturday Night Science:

  • The cost of living index in Carlsbad is 93, with 100 being the average.

  • The cost of living index in Carlsbad is 0.9x lower than the national average.

  • Carlsbad ranks as the #25 cheapest in New Mexico out of 45.

  • Carlsbad ranks as the #1,658 cheapest out of 6,489 in the US.

  • The median home value in Carlsbad is $231,518.

  • The median income in Carlsbad is $78,277.

Table Of Contents

  1. Summary
  2. National Comparison
  3. Housing Breakdown
  4. Detailed Pricing
  5. Nearby Comparisons
93
Carlsbad's Overall Cost Of Living
0.9x
Lower Than The National Average

What is the cost of living in Carlsbad, NM?

According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Carlsbad has an overall cost of living index of 93, which is 0.9x lower than the national index of 100.

Compared to New Mexico, Carlsbad has a cost of living index that's 1.0x lower than New Mexico's index of 95.

The standard of living in Carlsbad ranks as #25 most affordable out of the 45 places we measured in New Mexico. By definition, that implies Carlsbad ranks as the #20 most expensive place in the Land of Enchantment.

For more reading on life in Carlsbad, check out:

25 out of 45
In New Mexico
1,658 out of 6,489
In America

Carlsbad Cost Of Living Vs. New Mexico

Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Carlsbad. Here is how it fairs on each of the criteria:

  • The Services index in Carlsbad is 99.

  • The Groceries index in Carlsbad is 97.

  • The Health index in Carlsbad is 93.

  • The Housing index in Carlsbad is 92.

  • The Transportation index in Carlsbad is 96.

  • The Utilities index in Carlsbad is 98.

Living Expense Carlsbad New Mexico National Average
Overall 93 95 100
Services 99 96 100
Groceries 97 96 100
Health 93 95 100
Housing 92 87 100
Transportation 96 93 100
Utilities 98 89 100
For more reading on cost of living around New Mexico, check out:
Carlsbad Cost of Living Vs. NM

Carlsbad, NM Housing Cost Breakdown

Housing swings affordability the most between places in New Mexico, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2019-2023. The key points are:

  • The Median Home Value in Carlsbad is $231,518.

  • The Median Rent in Carlsbad is $1,206.

  • The Median Income in Carlsbad is $78,277.

  • The Home Value To Income in Carlsbad is 3.0x.

  • The Rent To Monthly Income in Carlsbad is 0.18x.

Statistic Carlsbad New Mexico United States
Median Home Value $231,518 $311,815 $303,400
Median Rent $1,206 $1,021 $1,348
Median Income $78,277 $62,125 $78,538
Home Value To Income 3.0x 5.0x 3.9x
Rent To Monthly Income 0.18x 0.2x 0.21x
$231,518
Median Home Value
$1,206
Median Rent
$78,277
Median Income

Carlsbad, NM Costs By Category

Detailed Carlsbad Services Costs Vs. New Mexico

Item Carlsbad New Mexico
Shampoo $1.15 $1.28
Movie $11.7 $12.13
Bowling $17.73 $18
Haircut $27.73 $24.26
Beauty Salon $70.27 $45.56

Detailed Carlsbad Groceries Costs Vs. New Mexico

Item Carlsbad New Mexico
Ground Beef $5.5 $5.84
Fried Chicken $1.67 $1.57
Milk $4.58 $4.67
Potatoes $4.86 $4.93
Pizza $11.64 $12.09
Beer $10.47 $10.41
Toothpaste $3.61 $3.7

Detailed Carlsbad Health Costs Vs. New Mexico

Item Carlsbad New Mexico
Optometrist $134.65 $125.68
Doctor $146.52 $135.78
Dentist $122.61 $113.29

Detailed Carlsbad Transportation Costs Vs. New Mexico

Item Carlsbad New Mexico
Gasoline $3.06 $3.46
Tire Balancing $61.55 $59.92

Detailed Carlsbad Utilities Costs Vs. New Mexico

Item Carlsbad New Mexico
All Electricity $137.32 $193.99
Phone $207.58 $192.25

Carlsbad SnackAbility

7
/10
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs
8.5/10
Housing
8
Affordability
8.5
Diversity
9
Safety
4
Amenities
8
Education
6
Commute
8.5

Cost Of Living In Cities Around Carlsbad

The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Carlsbad. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:

  • Artesia, NM has a cost of living index of 99, 1.1x Carlsbad.

City Population Cost Of Living Vs. Carlsbad
Artesia, NM 12,555 99 1.1x

Articles About New Mexico

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