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Santa Fe, the capital of New Mexico, is home to 87,505 people. The city is nearly 7,000 feet over sea level, which can have some salutary effects on health, and the price of health care is 18% below national averages. Rainfall is also notably below average, with an exceptionally pleasant climate giving the area 283 sunny days a year. For all of these reasons, Santa Fe sports a significantly older-than-average population: 23.7% of residents are 65 years or up.
If you’ve chosen Santa Fe for your retirement, you might also be considering a move into an assisted living facility. Such communities are a good fit if you’re having some trouble independently managing activities such as driving, bathing or eating but don’t need extensive medical supervision. According to an annual study from Genworth Financial, Santa Fe’s monthly cost of assisted living is $5,814.
In this guide, we’ll look at assisted living costs across New Mexico and in some neighboring states to see how they stack up against those of Santa Fe. There’s also a chart summarizing some senior-focused programs and initiatives that can help you get around the city, meet new friends and pay for some of the costs of living.
Hundreds of thousands of American seniors utilize assisted living, a figure that is only growing. For these seniors, assisted living combines residential housing,assistance in daily activities, and some healthcare. These communities also strive to provide an atmosphere that is comfortable and engaging for their residents… Read More >
COVID-19 restrictions and rules for Assisted Living Facilities are typically set by the state – to see the rules in your state, you can read our guide to Assisted Living in New Mexico. Keep in mind that there may be other policies that communities put in place to protect their residents, so you should contact your local community for more information. Additionally, you can contact your local Area Agency on Aging to learn more – find contact information here.
Genworth Financial’s annual Cost of Care Survey reports that the average monthly price for assisted living in Santa Fe is $5,814, higher than any other city in New Mexico.
The average monthly cost of assisted living care across New Mexico is $4,498, roughly $1,300 below Santa Fe’s cost. The state’s average monthly cost is almost perfectly in line with the U.S. average of $4,500.
Farmington, located in New Mexico’s northwest corner, has the state’s lowest reported costs at $3,999. Las Cruces, far to the south, reports a monthly cost of $4,495, extremely similar to the state average. Albuquerque, the state’s most populous city, ranks just below Santa Fe for monthly price of assisted living care at $4,750. A number of cities in bordering states report costs significantly below Santa Fe’s. In Lubbock, TX, seniors pay an average of $3,950 a month for assisted living care, and in Pueblo, CO, they pay $3,800.
How to Get Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Santa Fe
Since not everyone can afford to pay for assisted living out-of-pocket, it’s important to find alternative methods to help make assisted living more affordable. Some of these options include:
For more information about your options for making assisted living more affordable, visit our guide to Assisted Living in New Mexico.
| Resource | Contact | Service |
| Care Transition Program | 800-432-2080 | This state-level program assists seniors who are planning to move into, out of or between long-term care communities. Program staff can help you apply for Medicare, confirm that you have access to public benefits and connect you with local resources that can help you save money during your move. |
| Legal Resources for the Elderly Program | 800-876-6657 | New Mexico adults age 55 and up can call this helpline for free legal advice regarding Medicaid and Medicare, guardianship, estate planning, debt reconciliation and many other issues that often affect older adults. Services are available in both English and Spanish. |
| Santa Fe Vet Center | 505-988-6562 | While this location doesn’t offer medical support, military veterans can take advantage of its one-on-one mental health counseling, its substance abuse care and its suicide prevention support line. Couples counseling and bereavement-focused support are also available. Services are available at no cost to veterans, and all interactions are treated as confidential. |
| Santa Fe Ride | 505-473-4444 | City residents 60 years and up qualify to use this curb-to-curb transportation service; there’s a low fee of $5 per trip, which is waived for veterans. Rides are shared with other service users, and transit time can be up to 45 minutes. |
| Retired Senior Volunteer Program | 505-955-4760 | The nationwide RSVP initiative connects adults 55 years of age and up with volunteer opportunities that can keep them physically active and socially engaged in their retirement years. These volunteer roles include one-on-one mentoring, public cleanup activities, food service at congregate meal sites and offering support in hospice environments, among others. |
Assisted Living Facilities in the Santa Fe area are required to follow a set of rules and regulations that are determined at the state level. For an overview of those rules and regulations, see the information below. For more specific information, talk with your local community or Area Agency on Aging.
