Cost of Living in Carlsbad, NM - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $863 (excluding rent), and $2,481 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,283 (excluding rent), and $4,672 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$18.71 $18.71

$12.8 $12.8

$49.24 $49.24

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$49.14 $49.14

$98.4 $98.4

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.17 $12.17

$9.13 $9.13

$12.17 $12.17

Cappuccino

$6.12 $6.12

$2.94 $2.94

$9.79 $9.79

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.95 $1.95

$1.45 $1.45

$4.87 $4.87

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.31 $1.31

$3.04 $3.04

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.97 $4.97

$3.48 $3.48

$9.95 $9.95

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.16 $6.16

$4.62 $4.62

$9.24 $9.24

Milk (1 liter)

$0.91 $0.91

$0.71 $0.71

$3.38 $3.38

White Bread (500g)

$2.49 $2.49

$1.11 $1.11

$4.43 $4.43

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.04 $2.04

$6.71 $6.71

Eggs

$3.57 $3.57

$2.33 $2.33

$3.92 $3.92

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.21 $8.21

$7.29 $7.29

$16.97 $16.97

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.88 $9.88

$6.51 $6.51

$17.43 $17.43

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.08 $12.08

$8.86 $8.86

$21.09 $21.09

Apples (1kg)

$2.98 $2.98

$1.95 $1.95

$4.39 $4.39

Banana (1kg)

$1.07 $1.07

$0.87 $0.87

$2.18 $2.18

Oranges (1kg)

$4.21 $4.21

$1.8 $1.8

$11.24 $11.24

Tomato (1kg)

$2.55 $2.55

$2.13 $2.13

$7.88 $7.88

Potato (1kg)

$2.45 $2.45

$2.14 $2.14

$5.51 $5.51

Onion (1kg)

$1.96 $1.96

$0.91 $0.91

$6.8 $6.8

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.18 $2.18

$1.22 $1.22

$3.47 $3.47

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.52 $1.52

$0.9 $0.9

$2.53 $2.53

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$12.1 $12.1

$7.06 $7.06

$20.17 $20.17

Wine (Bottle)

$15.29 $15.29

$8.15 $8.15

$20.39 $20.39

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.13 $2.13

$1.76 $1.76

$4.34 $4.34

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.56 $4.56

$2.69 $2.69

$6.36 $6.36

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.03 $2.03

$1.27 $1.27

$2.03 $2.03

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.67 $1.67

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.63 $1.63

$1.56 $1.56

$2.19 $2.19

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$26.56 $26.56

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.72 $0.72

$0.63 $0.63

$0.83 $0.83

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$19.2K $19.2K

$36.6K $36.6K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$24.6K $24.6K

$27.3K $27.3K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$169 $169

$102 $102

$433 $433

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$63.6 $63.6

$42.56 $42.56

$99 $99

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$61.9 $61.9

$49.14 $49.14

$83.6 $83.6

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$42.55 $42.55

$17.32 $17.32

$49.47 $49.47

Cinema Ticket

$11.67 $11.67

$9.93 $9.93

$17.88 $17.88

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$575 $575

$501 $501

$936 $936

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,865 $6,865

$6,300 $6,300

$7,429 $7,429

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$39.32 $39.32

$19.66 $19.66

$54.1 $54.1

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$43.68 $43.68

$12.1 $12.1

$80.6 $80.6

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$96.1 $96.1

$49.44 $49.44

$129 $129

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$80.1 $80.1

$50.1 $50.1

$250 $250

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,590 $1,590

$1,191 $1,191

$1,843 $1,843

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,327 $1,327

$980 $980

$1,471 $1,471

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,635 $2,635

$2,004 $2,004

$3,005 $3,005

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,186 $2,186

$1,672 $1,672

$2,459 $2,459

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,874 $1,874

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,828 $1,828

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,110 $4,110

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

3.25

6.8

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: November 30, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Carlsbad, NM - Frequently Asked Questions

Carlsbad offers a slower pace and practical daily costs that appeal to travelers, expats, and digital nomads who value value over flash. The town's everyday needs, groceries, casual dining, and utilities, often land in an approachable range when you choose non-tourist areas and flexible housing. Cost of Living in Carlsbad, NM, United States highlights how you can balance modest rent with meaningful leisure time, often freeing up budgeting room for outings or weekend trips to nearby natural sights. Housing options range from small apartments to longer-term leases near the center. Tip: Map your priorities and test options for a few weeks before committing.

Daily life revolves around a car-friendly layout, with straightforward options for groceries, casual dining, and outdoor recreation. Housing search tends to favor walkable cores or quiet neighborhoods a short drive from main services; you'll find a mix of small apartments, shared houses, and longer-term leases suited to nomads. The Carlsbad, NM, United States living cost is influenced by seasonality; tourist demand can nudge rents and dining prices in peak months, while offseason calmer days can trim your routine costs. Tip: Start with a short field test of different areas to compare commute times, noise levels, and grocery options.

Carlsbad rewards those who match their budget to their daily rhythm. The quality of life leans on outdoor access, a friendly pace, and small-town amenities that keep errands practical. For budgeting, use a simple framework: cover housing and utilities first, then allocate for groceries, transport, and occasional leisure, with a buffer for seasonal extras. Seasonality can influence crowds and service hours around popular natural attractions, but it rarely upends core costs. Neighborhood fit matters: core downtown areas offer walkable access to shops and coworking, while quieter residential streets deliver calmer evenings. Tip: spend time in a few neighborhoods at different times of day to feel how they align with your routine.