Cost of Living in Carlsbad, NM
| Cost of Living in Carlsbad, NM | Compared to State Average | Compared to National Average |
|---|---|---|
| Housing (Buy and Rent) | 1% higher | 9% lower |
| Utilities (Monthly) | 4% higher | 12% lower |
| Food | 2% lower | 5% lower |
| Healthcare | 3% lower | 2% lower |
| Transportation | 6% higher | 0% |
| Goods & Services | 16% lower | 10% lower |
The cost of living in Carlsbad, NM is 6% lower than the state average and 8% lower than the national average. Carlsbad, NM housing is 9% cheaper than the U.S average, while utilities are about 12% less pricey. When it comes to basic necessities such as food and clothing, groceries are around 5% cheaper in Carlsbad, NM than in the rest of the country, while clothing costs around 10% less .
Healthcare services such as doctor check-ups and dentistry cost 2% less here compared to the U.S. average. At the same time, non-necessary expenses such as entertainment and grooming services are 10% cheaper in Carlsbad, NM.
Housing is the most significant expense for most American households. The cost of living in a certain city takes into account both the price of rent and the price of a home. The average monthly rent in Carlsbad is $1,314, while home prices circle around $503,146.
Both owning and renting come with utility expenses. These costs include basic services such as energy and telecommunications. In Carlsbad, energy bills cost around $180.24 per month.
Food is the most important necessity and its cost varies around the country. This section includes the prices of everyday foods such as produce, meat and dairy. A bottle of milk costs about $4.84 in Carlsbad, a dozen eggs go for around $4.00 and a pound of potatoes circles around $4.12.
The benchmark for this category is based on the prices of family doctor visits and specialized services such as optometry. In Carlsbad, an optometry check-up costs around $245.41, while a dentist appointment is priced $108.49 on average.
Transportation expenses depend on multiple factors, with fuel being the most important. A gallon of gas is priced around $3.11 in Carlsbad, while getting your tires balanced will run you about $61.74.
The cost of clothing tells you how much more or less money you need to buy basic items such as jeans, shirts or slacks in a new city. A men's shirt costs around $33.69 here. Meanwhile, a pair of women's slacks will set you back around $26.10.
The cost of entertainment and everyday services is based on common expenses in each category. For a movie ticket in Carlsbad, you should budget around $10.08 a month. When it comes to personal services, a haircut usually goes for $24.83, while dry cleaning costs about $14.00.
The cost of living also takes median household income into account, so you can estimate how much more or less you could be earning in a new city by comparing it to the income in your current area. In Carlsbad, the median household income is $72,306.