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Retirement community in Santa Fe, New Mexico

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Santa Fe, New Mexico Retirement Guide

43

Retirement Score

Santa Fe, New Mexico at a Glance

Median Home Price
$449,900
State Income Tax
State income tax; Social Security partially exempt; limited pension exemption.
Avg January Low
17°F
Cost of Living Index
106.2 (US avg = 100)
RetireCityIQ Score
43 / 100

Overview

Explore the key retirement factors for Santa Fe, New Mexico, including cost of living, taxes, healthcare quality, and climate data.

Cost of Living

Affordability Metrics

Cost of Living Index
106.2 (U.S. avg = 100)High confidence
BEA Regional Price Parities · Updated October 2026
Median Household Income
$67,663High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

Santa Fe's cost of living is 6.200000000000003% above the national average. For a detailed breakdown of expenses, see our cost of living methodology.

Housing

Real Estate & Housing

Median Home Price
$449,900High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 1-Year · Updated October 2026
Median Monthly Rent
$1,316High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 1-Year · Updated October 2026
Owner-Occupied Housing
64.3%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

10-Year Housing Stress Test (Estimate)

Estimate monthly homeowner carrying cost in Santa Fe using median home price and adjustable assumptions. Stress case applies +10% property tax, +20% insurance, +10% maintenance.

Estimated monthly carrying cost

$975

Stress-case monthly carrying cost

$1,095

Median home price used: $449,900

Median rent reference: $1,316 / month

Estimate includes property tax, insurance, maintenance reserve, and HOA. It excludes mortgage, utilities, and one-time transaction costs.

Budget validation

Calculate if your savings last in this city

Use RetireFree to test whether your portfolio can support retirement in Santa Fe, New Mexico after local housing costs, taxes, healthcare, inflation, and withdrawal timing.

Open the RetireFree Calculator →

Healthcare

Access & Quality

Healthcare Access Score
40.3 / 100High confidence
CMS Hospital General Information · Updated October 2026
Care Access (Proxy)
40.3 / 100Estimated
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026
Aging-in-Place Score
51.3 / 100Estimated
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026

Quality of care and specialist availability are critical for a successful retirement. Santa Fe scores 40.3 out of 100 for healthcare access.

Care planning link

Find local assisted living in Santa Fe

If your city research includes aging parents, future care needs, or a move closer to family, compare local care options alongside housing and healthcare access.

Assisted living in Santa Fe →

Taxes

State Tax Climate

Retirement Tax Score
30 / 100High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated October 2026
Tax Details
State income tax; Social Security partially exempt; limited pension exemption.High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated October 2026

New Mexico has a tax environment that is moderate for retirees.

Climate

Weather & Environment

Avg July High
82°FHigh confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated October 2026
Avg January Low
17°FHigh confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated October 2026
Annual Precipitation
14"High confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated October 2026
Sunny Days / Year
283 daysHigh confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated October 2026

With 283 sunny days a year and an average January low of 17°F, Santa Fe offers a traditional winter climate.

Safety & Walkability

Community Safety

Safety Score
99.1 / 100Low confidence
FBI Crime Data Explorer · Updated June 2026

Walkability

Walk Score (proxy)
24.8 / 100Low confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026
Transit Score (proxy)
3.4 / 100Low confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026

Demographics

Population Profile

Population
87,617High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Median Age
44.5High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Age 65+
24.6%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Veterans
6.2%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Bachelor's Degree+
44.0%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

Diversity Breakdown

White
68.2%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Black
1.3%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Hispanic/Latino
53.1%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Asian
1.7%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

Frequently asked questions about retiring in Santa Fe

What is the cost of living in Santa Fe, New Mexico for retirees?▾

The cost-of-living index is 106, roughly 6% above the national average of 100. Median home price is around $449,900.

Does New Mexico tax Social Security or retirement income?▾

For New Mexico residents: State income tax; Social Security partially exempt; limited pension exemption.

What is the climate like in Santa Fe, New Mexico?▾

Santa Fe, New Mexico has January average low around 17°F, July average high around 82°F. Climate normals are based on 30-year averages from NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information.

What is healthcare access like in Santa Fe, New Mexico?▾

Santa Fe scores 40/100 on the RetireCityIQ healthcare access index — a adequate score. The index combines CMS hospital quality ratings, Medicare Advantage plan availability, and hospitals per 100,000 residents (KFF + CMS data).

Local Professionals

Financial Advisors

HORIZONS SUSTAINABLE FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.

Financial Advisor

FINANCIAL PARTNERS, LLC

Financial Advisor

SANTA FE ADVISORS LLC

Financial Advisor

+92 more financial advisors available

Interested in Santa Fe? Talk to a Local Expert.

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