City profile · New Mexico · Census ACS 2023

Santa Fe, NM

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Santa Fe - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

88,224
Residents
$70,110
Median income
$411,500
Median home
$1,685
Median rent (state)

Santa Fe - the verdict

Santa Fe ranks in the 50th percentile for household income and the 2nd percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

50th
percentile, household income
78th
percentile, home value
67th
percentile, median rent
2nd
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Santa Fe, NM

88,224 people live in Santa Fe, New Mexico - a small city by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $70,110 per year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 10.6%. Santa Fe's housing stock carries a median value of $411,500, and the median resident age is 46.4 years. About 45.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 57.4% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 244 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 59% from five years earlier. Santa Fe's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 5998.7 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, above the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 50.0°F with 12.8 inches of precipitation per year and 20.2 inches of snowfall.

Living costs in New Mexico run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, New Mexico scores 92.2 (Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,685 monthly. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in New Mexico run around $167, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 86.0 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

88,224 residents

Census ACS 2023 - New Mexico

Median Household Income

$70,110 /yr

Poverty 10.6%

Cost of Living Index (state)

92.2 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, New Mexico average

How does Santa Fe compare to other US cities?

Santa Fe measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 50% higher than other cities
Home value 78% pricier than other cities
Median rent 67% pricier than other cities
Safety 2% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just New Mexico and the picture shifts: Santa Fe ranks #41 of 42 New Mexico cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Santa Fe's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in New Mexico, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

50thIncome percentile
2ndSafety percentile

50th percentile nationally for median household income · 2nd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Santa Fe's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Santa Fe's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 27 Avg. percentile National median
Santa Fe's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Santa Fe's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$411,500 22nd percentile more affordable than 22% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). This entry sits in this band. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Santa Fe $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Santa Fe, NM Santa Fe, NM's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Santa Fe, NM-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Santa Fe, NM median $70,110/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Santa Fe, NM's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Santa Fe, NM. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 45.4%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 10.6%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 57.4%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
88,224
Median Income
$70,110
Median Home Value
$411,500
Median Age
46.4
Poverty Rate
10.6%
Labor force participation
57.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
45.4%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
5998.7
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
842.1
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
5156.6
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
50.0°F
Annual Precipitation
12.8"
Annual Snowfall
20.2"

Schools

Total Schools
41
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
87,000 residents88,000 residents89,000 residents90,000 residents91,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 87,740 residents 89,837 residents ▲ +2.4%
Santa Fe's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
244
housing units authorized
Single-Family
244
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
2.8
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 589
2020 577
2021 840
2022 590
2023 926
2024 244

Permit volume decreased 59% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
69.8%
Carpool
8.7%
Public Transit
1.3%
Walk
2.5%
Work from Home
16.2%
Other
1.5%

Based on 42,971 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for New Mexico - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$85
avg/month
Natural Gas
$40
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$42
avg/month
Total Utilities
$167
estimated/month

Estimates reflect New Mexico state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a New Mexico state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Santa Fe sits in

Cost of Living Index
92.2
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,685/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
86.0 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in New Mexico

Rio Rancho
106,533 people
Las Cruces
112,612 people
Roswell
47,823 people
Farmington
46,339 people
Hobbs
39,887 people
Clovis
38,153 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Santa Fe's 88,224 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Lawrence, MA
88,297 people
Santa Barbara, CA
88,024 people
Newton, MA
88,504 people
San Leandro, CA
88,531 people
Greenville, NC
88,540 people
Champaign, IL
88,822 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Santa Fe's $70,110 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Orrville, OH
$70,103 median income
Gresham Park, GA
$70,101 median income
Temple Hills, MD
$70,097 median income
Aplington, IA
$70,093 median income
Machias, NY
$70,127 median income
Glens Falls, NY
$70,089 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Santa Fe, NM Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Santa Fe, NM - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 61.0% 11.2% 22.4% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 49.9% White 61.0% Black or African American 1.3% Asian 1.9% American Indian 2.1% Native Hawaiian 0.1% Some other race 11.2% Two or more races 22.4% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Santa Fe compares to nearby New Mexico cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Santa Fe (this city) 88,224 $70,110
Rio Rancho 106,533 $85,755
Las Cruces 112,612 $55,176
Roswell 47,823 $50,294
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NM FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Santa Fe, NM?

What is the population of Santa Fe, NM? +

The population of Santa Fe, NM stands at 88,224 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Santa Fe, NM? +

Santa Fe households earn a median of $70,110 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Santa Fe? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Santa Fe; the closest available measure is the New Mexico state average, a cost of living index of 92.2 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within New Mexico vary by metro area.

Is Santa Fe, NM safe? +

Santa Fe has a total crime rate of 5998.7 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Santa Fe, NM? +

The median home value in Santa Fe is $411,500, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Santa Fe? +

Santa Fe has an average annual temperature of 50.0°F, 12.8 inches of precipitation, and 20.2 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.