Cost of Living in New Mexico: Cities Where Household Expenses are Highest and Lowest in 2025
What is the cost of living in New Mexico? doxo breaks down key insights about New Mexico’s household expenses, with a close look into how bills differ between towns and cities across the state.
According to doxo’s The Cost of Bills Index™ (COBI), the average household in New Mexico pays $1,581 in monthly expenses. doxoINSIGHTS compares the cost of the ten most common household bills across different regions. This includes Utilities, Cable & Internet, Mobile Phone, Auto Loans, Auto Insurance, Life Insurance, Health Insurance, Alarm & Security, Rent, and Mortgage.
The data sheds light on New Mexico’s cost of living through other metrics as well. For example, the “percent of household income” data point shows what percentage of their household income residents spend on bills each month.
By leveraging these tools, residents can gain a clearer understanding of their household expenses and optimize their financial planning.
New Mexico ranks as the 46th most expensive state in the US for household bills
According to doxo’s COBI report, New Mexico is ranked as the 46th most expensive state in the U.S. for household bills.
At $18,972 per year, New Mexico’s household expenses, on average, are 23% lower than the US median of $24,695.
Absolute dollar amounts don’t tell the full story, however. doxo’s “Percentage of Household Income” data provides a more proportional look at bill spending in a particular location. New Mexico households spend 29% of their income on bills.
COBI helps consumers understand how much it costs to live in one area as compared to another as it relates to the most common household bills. For COBI, the number 100 represents the national median and then, states, counties and cities are assigned a number, either above or below 100, based on how they compare to the national median. The COBI for New Mexico is 77.
- Median Bill Cost per Household: $1,581 per month
- Cost of Bills Index(COBI): 77
- doxoINSIGHTS State Rank: #46
- Percent of Household Income Used for Bills: 29%
- Compared to the National Median: 23% lower
New Mexico Household Expenses are 23% Lower Than the National Median
The average New Mexico household pays $1,581 per month in the 10 most common household bills. The least expensive of these are alarm and security bills.
On the lowest end of the spectrum, the median monthly payment for alarm and security bills in New Mexico is $81, compared to the national median of $74, making it 9% higher than the national median.
Monthly mortgage bills are the most significant of the 10 most common bills for New Mexico residents. The median monthly mortgage payment is $1,339, compared to the national median of $1,775, making it 25% less expensive.
Median New Mexico Household Bill Spending
| Bill Category | Median New Mexico Monthly Bill | National Median Monthly Bill | New Mexico Percent +/- National Median ($2,126) |
| Mortgage | $1,339 | $1,775 | 25% lower |
| Rent | $1,047 | $1,453 | 28% lower |
| Auto Loan | $458 | $470 | 3% lower |
| Auto Insurance | $91 | $105 | 13% lower |
| Health Insurance | $79 | $72 | 10% higher |
| Mobile Phone | $92 | $96 | 4% lower |
| Cable & Internet | $122 | $121 | 1% higher |
| Life Insurance | $77 | $60 | 28% higher |
| Alarm & Security | $81 | $74 | 9% higher |
| Total | $1,581 | $2,065 | 9% higher |
*Household Bill Pay Expense medians shown above reflect the ten most common bills paid, including housing (rent/mortgage).
Canjilon has the highest cost of living in New Mexico for household bills
Residents of Canjilon pay the highest household bills in the state of New Mexico, at a median of $2,805 per month. The Cost of Bills Index (COBI) for Canjilon is 136, meaning the median cost of bills in this city is 36% higher than the national median.
In proportion to household income, monthly bills in Canjilon make up 21% of the median annual household income of $162,668.
Access detailed infographics about each city or town by clicking on the hyperlinks in the “City” column in the tables below. You can also browse doxoINSIGHTS’ regional bill comparison database to see infographics about more than 4,200 cities and towns across all 50 states in the US.
5 Most Expensive New Mexico Cities for Household Bills
| Rank | City | Median Income | Monthly Bill Expenses Per Household | Cost of Bills Index (COBI) – Standard | % +/- Than the National Median | Percent of Household Income Used for Bills |
| 1 | Canjilon | $162,668 | $2,805 | 136 | 36% higher | 21% |
| 2 | San Cristobal | $68,370 | $2,252 | 109 | 9% higher | 40% |
| 3 | Corrales | $112,716 | $2,211 | 107 | 7% higher | 24% |
| 4 | McDonald | $58,750 | $2,205 | 107 | 7% higher | 45% |
| 5 | White Rock | $150,714 | $2,197 | 106 | 6% higher | 18% |
*Household Bill Pay Expense medians shown above reflect the ten most common bills paid, including housing (rent/mortgage).
Pep has the lowest cost of living in New Mexico for household bills
Pep is the most affordable place in New Mexico, with residents paying $809 on average for household bills, accounting for 19% of annual income of $52,420. The Cost of Bills Index (COBI) for Pep is 39, meaning the median cost of bills in this city is 61% below the national median.
Garfield is the second most affordable city in New Mexico, with residents paying $813 per month on average.
Also on the list of the 5 least expensive cities in New Mexico are Tres Piedras ($818), Amalia ($818) and Llano ($818).
5 Most Affordable New Mexico Cities for Household Bills
| Rank | City | Median Income | Monthly Bill Expense Per Household | Cost of Bills Index (COBI) – Standard | % +/- Than the National Median | Percent of Household Income Used for Bills |
| 1 | Pep | $52,420 | $809 | 39 | 61% lower | 19% |
| 2 | Garfield | $21,393 | $813 | 39 | 61% lower | 46% |
| 3 | Tres Piedras | $68,370 | $818 | 40 | 60% lower | 14% |
| 4 | Amalia | $46,794 | $818 | 40 | 60% lower | 21% |
| 5 | Llano | $38,983 | $818 | 40 | 60% lower | 25% |
*Household Bill Pay Expense medians shown above reflect the ten most common bills paid, including housing (rent/mortgage).
Some individuals might be considering moving from a more expensive city to a less expensive one. For those making such decisions, doxoINSIGHTS can be a valuable resource. It allows consumers to compare household expenses in New Mexico with average bills in various cities and states nationwide.