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 98, which is 1.0x lower than the national index of 100.
Compared to New Mexico, Carlsbad has a cost of living index that's 1.1x higher than New Mexico's index of 93.
The standard of living in Carlsbad ranks as #28 most affordable out of the 45 places we measured in New Mexico. By definition, that implies Carlsbad ranks as the #17 most expensive place in the Land of Enchantment.
For more reading on life in Carlsbad, check out:
Carlsbad Cost Of Living Vs. New Mexico
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Carlsbad. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Carlsbad is 98.
The Groceries index in Carlsbad is 99.
The Health index in Carlsbad is 95.
The Housing index in Carlsbad is 99.
The Transportation index in Carlsbad is 99.
The Utilities index in Carlsbad is 94.
| Living Expense | Carlsbad | New Mexico | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 98 | 93 | 100 |
| Services | 98 | 98 | 100 |
| Groceries | 99 | 96 | 100 |
| Health | 95 | 86 | 100 |
| Housing | 99 | 99 | 100 |
| Transportation | 99 | 95 | 100 |
| Utilities | 94 | 94 | 100 |
Carlsbad Cost Of Living Compared To New Mexico Averages
Index where 100 = national average. Source: cost-of-living index 2026.
For more reading on cost of living around New Mexico, check out:
Protect your home budget Compare home warranties in Carlsbad Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
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 2020-2024. The key points are:
The Median Home Value in Carlsbad is $251,561.
The Median Rent in Carlsbad is $1,236.
The Median Income in Carlsbad is $72,306.
The Home Value To Income in Carlsbad is 3.5x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Carlsbad is 0.21x.
| Statistic | Carlsbad | New Mexico | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $251,561 | $316,750 | $332,700 |
| Median Rent | $1,236 | $1,067 | $1,413 |
| Median Income | $72,306 | $64,059 | $80,734 |
| Home Value To Income | 3.5x | 4.9x | 4.1x |
| Rent To Monthly Income | 0.21x | 0.2x | 0.21x |
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
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 98, 1.0x Carlsbad.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Carlsbad |
|---|---|---|---|
| Artesia, NM | 12,576 | 98 | 1.0x |
