Carlsbad, NM Cost Of Living

Demographics | Crime | Cost Of Living
Updated: 2023-11-15

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 89, with 100 being the average.

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

  • Carlsbad ranks as the #26 cheapest in New Mexico out of 44.

  • Carlsbad ranks as the #1,460 cheapest out of 6,412 in the US.

  • The median home value in Carlsbad is $159,500.

  • The median income in Carlsbad is $70,745.

Table Of Contents

  1. Summary
  2. National Comparison
  3. Housing Breakdown
  4. Detailed Pricing
  5. Nearby Comparisons
89
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 89, which is 0.9x lower than the national index of 100.

Compared to New Mexico, Carlsbad has a cost of living index that's 0.9x lower than New Mexico's index of 94.

The standard of living in Carlsbad ranks as #26 most affordable out of the 44 places we measured in New Mexico. By definition, that implies Carlsbad ranks as the #18 most expensive place in the Land of Enchantment.

For more reading on life in Carlsbad, check out:

26 out of 44
In New Mexico
1,460 out of 6,412
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 95.

  • The Groceries index in Carlsbad is 92.

  • The Health index in Carlsbad is 100.

  • The Housing index in Carlsbad is 71.

  • The Transportation index in Carlsbad is 96.

  • The Utilities index in Carlsbad is 98.

Living Expense Carlsbad New Mexico National Average
Overall 89 94 100
Services 95 97 100
Groceries 92 96 100
Health 100 100 100
Housing 71 88 100
Transportation 96 96 100
Utilities 98 91 100
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 2017-2021. The key points are:

  • The Median Home Value in Carlsbad is $159,500.

  • The Median Rent in Carlsbad is $1,112.

  • The Median Income in Carlsbad is $70,745.

  • The Home Value To Income in Carlsbad is 2.3x.

  • The Rent To Monthly Income in Carlsbad is 0.19x.

Statistic Carlsbad New Mexico United States
Median Home Value $159,500 $184,800 $244,900
Median Rent $1,112 $897 $1,163
Median Income $70,745 $54,020 $69,021
Home Value To Income 2.3x 3.4x 3.5x
Rent To Monthly Income 0.19x 0.2x 0.2x
Search Homes For Sale In Carlsbad, NM
$159,500
Median Home Value
$1,112
Median Rent
$70,745
Median Income

Carlsbad, NM Costs By Category

Detailed Carlsbad Services Costs Vs. New Mexico

Item Carlsbad New Mexico
Shampoo $1.03 $1.06
Movie $9.38 $10.68
Bowling $12.5 $14.67
Haircut $19.2 $18.62
Beauty Salon $35.0 $39.05

Detailed Carlsbad Groceries Costs Vs. New Mexico

Item Carlsbad New Mexico
Ground Beef $3.98 $4.22
Fried Chicken $1.15 $1.39
Milk $1.73 $2.05
Potatoes $1.97 $3.29
Pizza $12.33 $10.62
Beer $10.43 $9.38
Toothpaste $2.27 $2.34

Detailed Carlsbad Health Costs Vs. New Mexico

Item Carlsbad New Mexico
Optometrist $122.5 $108.57
Doctor $136.25 $116.17
Dentist $90.0 $99.13

Detailed Carlsbad Transportation Costs Vs. New Mexico

Item Carlsbad New Mexico
Gasoline $2.06 $2.22
Tire Balancing $49.53 $50.07

Detailed Carlsbad Utilities Costs Vs. New Mexico

Item Carlsbad New Mexico
All Electricity $164.79 $167.67
Phone $184.35 $175.64

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 92, 1.0x Carlsbad.

City Population Cost Of Living Vs. Carlsbad
Artesia, NM 12,637 92 1.0x

Articles About New Mexico

Enjoy The Snack?