Uprootmap
Houston vs Santa Fe
Houston and Santa Fe
Photo: Wikimedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
Assumed income $83,730, same in both cities. Example, until you change it.
Other cities
So you know: homicide deaths in Santa Fe are under the US rate in this release, 5.8 versus 6.5 per 100,000. CDC via County Health Rankings, CDC NVSS 2017–2023 (CHR 2025 release).
Why people look at Houston to Santa Fe
In 2022-2023, 57 households filed a move from Houston to Santa Fe (about 88 people, average adjusted gross income $134,579). 25 households went the other way. Source: IRS migration.
A one-bedroom asking rent is about $1,188 in Houston and $1,503 in Santa Fe. Houston has no state tax on wages. Santa Fe has a state tax on wages. Local pay in Santa Fe is 89% of the national level for the same work, against 102% in Houston.
Santa Fe averages 276 sunny days, with July highs around 88°F and January nights around 21°F. Houston is 204 sunny days, 94°F in July, 45°F in January. Commutes average 23 minutes in Santa Fe and 29 in Houston.
These figures are projections built from available public data. Conditions change, and the numbers may not reflect current prices, taxes, or immigration rules. Check official sources before you make decisions.
Who already made this move
In 2022-2023, 57 households moved Houston → Santa Fe (about 88 people, average AGI $134,579). 25 households went the other way.
Source: IRS SOI county-to-county migration. Not a moving company; not a recommendation.
The monthly number is take-home pay minus rent and the other bills. The gap between Houston and Santa Fe changes with the job, remote or local pay, and bedrooms. How we figure this.
What the move itself costs
About 879 road miles, 1 bedroom. Typical ranges, not quotes.
- Full-service mover
- $2,500–$4,750
- Container or pod
- $1,750–$3,300
- Rent a truck
- $950–$1,750
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Dig into Santa Fe
Questions
Is Santa Fe cheaper than Houston after tax and rent?
No. Santa Fe leaves about $485 less a month, so the cost of living is higher there for this household. A one-bedroom is about $1,188 in Houston and $1,503 in Santa Fe.
Does Santa Fe have state income tax?
Santa Fe is in New Mexico, which taxes wage income.
Did people actually move from Houston to Santa Fe?
Yes, when the IRS published that flow. The count and their average income are on this page. Leftover prices the same household in both cities.