Living in Santa Fe, NM
Explore Things To Do, Cost of Living, Top Restaurants and More

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• 2026 Top 100 Best Places to Live
• 2025 Top 100 Best Places to Live

Thinking of moving to Santa Fe, NM? You’ve come to the right place! You will find all the details about living here, from insight into the quality of life and cost of living to details about industry and job opportunities to lists of fun things to do.

Why You’ll Love Living in Santa Fe, NM

With earthy adobe buildings, ristras (strings of chile peppers) hanging on porches and storefronts, plus unique traditions like tailgating at the Santa Fe Opera in cowboy boots and turquoise jewelry, this New Mexico city can’t be compared to any other place in the U.S. That’s precisely why it’s nicknamed “The City Different” and why more than 90,000 people love living in Santa Fe, NM.

Locals and civic leaders know just how unique their city is, and they’ve set a number of goals to preserve its natural resources, which is why the city scored high in the environment category. Community plans include achieving carbon neutrality by 2040 and continuing to encourage public transportation, such as the Santa Fe Trails bus system, which transports 1 million riders a year.

Considered New Mexico’s artistic capital, this city is home to hundreds of art galleries, many on Canyon Road, and has A+ museums, ranging from the original Meow Wolf, a mind-bending sci-fi spot, to the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum. Check out the Native American Artisans Portal Program, where you can meet artists selling their handcrafted works like pottery, textiles and jewelry. Plus, tons of art markets and festivals, like the International Folk Art Market, bring makers from 50 countries to Santa Fe. Some other traditions that make Santa Fe special include the farolitos lining adobe buildings during the holiday season and the Margarita Trail, featuring fantastic agave cocktails. You won’t find much to do in Santa Fe after 9 p.m. or so, but that’s okay because there are good reasons to wake up early, including being first in line when the lifts open at Ski Santa Fe or getting out to hike and see petroglyphs at Bandelier National Monument.

Top Reasons to Move to Santa Fe

• Santa Fe is an artistic hotspot, known for the world-class galleries along Canyon Road and Meow Wolf.
• With more than 300 days of sunshine and easy access to hiking and skiing spots, Santa Fe is an outdoor lover’s paradise.
• There are plenty of economic opportunities in Santa Fe thanks to its proximity to Los Alamos National Laboratory, which draws top-tier scientific talent to the area.
• Centered around the unique flavors of New Mexico, Santa Fe’s food scene is unmatched.

Santa Fe is a historic city in north-central New Mexico, about 60 miles northeast of Albuquerque, accessible via Interstate 25. Santa Fe Regional Airport is close, but Albuquerque International Sunport (65 miles southwest) has more options. Nearby major cities include:

• Albuquerque sits just 60 miles southwest, where you can explore the Petroglyph National Monument and Old Town or ride the Sandia Peak Tramway.
• Taos is 70 miles north, boasting the Taos Pueblo, Rio Grande Gorge Bridge and world-class skiing.
• Las Cruces lies 275 miles south, home to the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum, the Organ Mountains and White Sands National Park (nearby).

Thanks to its high-altitude, semi-arid climate, the area enjoys four distinct seasons with very low humidity and mostly clear skies year-round. The city is sunny, featuring mild, dry summers and cold, snowy winters that are often characterized by crisp, brilliant sunlight and high-desert charm.

The city has a unique economy, heavily rooted in tourism, government and health care. Some of the most significant employers in Santa Fe are the State of New Mexico, Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center and Los Alamos National Laboratory. While it may not be a hub for major corporate headquarters, the city is known for its high concentration of art galleries, studios and other tourism-related businesses, such as restaurants and hotels, creating a landscape ripe for local businesses.

The cost of living in Santa Fe is above the national average. The median home value in Santa Fe is $477,465, and the average household income is $73,935.

New Mexico has a state income tax, and those living in Santa Fe can expect a combined sales tax rate of 8.19% in 2026.

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Santa Fe is known for its artistic flair. Spanish and Native American cultures pepper this New Mexican city. The country’s oldest structure, the Palace of the Governors, was built in the early 1600s. The city made history when it became a UNESCO Creative City in 2005 – one in 10 jobs here is connected to the arts. In addition, much of the city’s culture revolves around New Mexico’s 23 Native American tribes, nations and pueblos. 

Santa Fe is considered the third-largest art market in the U.S. based on sales and is known as one of our country’s great art cities, making it one of the best places to live in New Mexico. Some other artistic endeavors are the International Folk Art Market, the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum and Meow Wolf. 

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The city’s reputation as “A City Different” sets the city apart, and there are plenty of things to keep residents entertained. The city is a hub for artists, with over 250 galleries, particularly along Canyon Road. Cultural experiences range from exploring the historic Santa Fe Plaza and the Palace of the Governors to immersive art experiences. Residents can also enjoy unique events like the Folk Art Market and the Santa Fe Indian Market, and attend performances at the Santa Fe Opera House. But beyond the art, Santa Fe has opportunities to delve into Native American and Spanish colonial history at the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture and the Museum of Spanish Colonial Art. Residents can shop at the Santa Fe Farmers Market, relax at spas like Ten Thousand Waves and visit significant religious sites such as Loretto Chapel and Santuario de Chimayo. The numerous festivals and markets contribute to its distinct way of life, and residents love living in a tight-knit community.

Go There: A Splendid Weekend Away in Santa Fe, NM

Stretch your legs in any of the open spaces in Santa Fe. Whether you’re looking for adventure or a peaceful natural experience, there is something for everyone. During the winter, residents can ski and snowboard at Ski Santa Fe, which surprisingly receives a lot of snow. Year-round hiking and biking enthusiasts can explore the extensive network of trails, including the scenic Dale Ball Trails, as well as the landscapes of Bandelier National Monument and Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument.

Beyond these activities, residents can raft on the Rio Grande, fish in local rivers and streams and golf on courses set against desert landscapes. Horseback riding is a traditional way to explore the area’s trails, and hot-air ballooning gives a new perspective of the region. Nature lovers can also enjoy the Randall Davey Audubon Center and the Santa Fe Botanical Garden, and drives like the Turquoise Trail provide beautiful views of the surrounding landscapes.

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Native American, Mexican and Spanish flavors influence the local culinary scene, and spots like The Shed, Tia Sophia’s and La Choza offer traditional New Mexican dishes. A growing farm-to-table movement across town, and spots like Vinaigrette and The Compound, highlight local, seasonal ingredients. The city has a surprising number of specialty shops, like Chocolate + Cashmere.

Beyond its restaurants, Santa Fe has a thriving craft beverage scene, with breweries like Santa Fe Brewing Co. and Rowley Farmhouse Ales and wineries such as Vivac Winery contributing to the city’s vibrant food and drink culture. Sip your way down the Margarita Trail, which highlights over 40 different varieties of the beloved cocktail.

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Families can enjoy a highly educated environment and a community that places a significant emphasis on the importance of education, which is reflected in the variety of educational options, including a mix of public, private and charter schools. Santa Fe Public Schools (SFPS) is the main public school district in the area, serving more than 11,000 students and offering a wide range of programming. Several magnet and charter schools offer specialized themes and dual-language programs. The city has many religious and independent private schools, often with a long history of high-quality education and smaller class sizes. The Santa Fe School for the Arts & Sciences offers students a well-rounded education that emphasizes the arts and sciences.