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City Report · NM

Albuquerque

Pop. 562,218·9th most expensive in New Mexico·Rental market data updated monthly for Albuquerque, NM
Median rent (all units)
$1,486/mo
Year-over-Year
+1.5%
Month-over-Month
+0.4%
vs US Median
-$479
Stable (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Albuquerque · $1,486
More affordable than 77% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
64/100
Good value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 7% below what Albuquerque's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$1,486/mo
Expected by trend
$1,597/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Albuquerque's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$949
1 BR
$1,128
2 BR
$1,383
3 BR
$1,939
4 BR+
$2,297
Research median
$1,383/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$17,832/yr
At $1,486/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (1.5% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+1.5% YoY, +0.4% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Albuquerque, NM is majority owner-occupied, 39.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
562,218
Median income
$68,317
Median age
38.8
Renters
38.2%
Age distribution
20.3%
24%
25.8%
12.3%
17.7%
Under 1820.3%
18–3424%
35–5425.8%
55–6412.3%
65+17.7%
Gender
49.1%
50.9%
Male49.1%
Female50.9%
Race & ethnicity
49.9%
47.7%
White49.9%
Black3.5%
Hispanic47.7%
Asian3.4%
Education (25+)
21.7%
30.2%
39.2%
No HS diploma8.8%
HS diploma21.7%
Some college30.2%
Bachelor's+39.2%
Housing tenure
61.8%
38.2%
Owner61.8%
Renter38.2%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Albuquerque, NM has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,094 → $1,486
up 35.8%
Income
$56,366 → $68,317
up 21.2%
Population
562,336 → 562,218
up 0.0%
Renter share
39.9% → 38.2%
-1.7 pts
Bachelor's+
37.4% → 39.2%
+1.8 pts
Median age
37.5 → 38.8
+1.3 yrs

Rent in Albuquerque, NM has increased 35.8% since 2021, going from about $1,094 per month to roughly $1,486 today. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $56,366 in 2021 to $68,317 more recently. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 14.6 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. About 38.2% of households rent today, against 39.9% in 2021. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Albuquerque, NM market of 2021.

Community

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View Albuquerque rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Albuquerque on your salary?

At $1,486/mo, how Albuquerque rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Albuquerque rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Albuquerque. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Albuquerque

About renting in Albuquerque, NM

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Albuquerque is $1,486/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $949/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,383/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,128/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,939/mo.

At 26% of local median household income ($68,317/yr), Albuquerque ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 1.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Albuquerque an affordable city for renters?

Albuquerque is considered affordable for renters. At $1,486/mo, rent takes approximately 26% of the local median household income ($68,317/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Albuquerque falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Albuquerque?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $59,000/year (~$28/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,486/mo in Albuquerque. The local median household income is $68,317/yr, meaning the typical Albuquerque household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Albuquerque?

Rent in Albuquerque has increased 1.5% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Albuquerque neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Albuquerque are 87108 ($1,019/mo), 87102 ($1,151/mo), and 87107 ($1,202/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Albuquerque is $1,486/mo.

How does Albuquerque rent compare to other cities in New Mexico?

Albuquerque is middle-of-the-pack for New Mexico for rent, ranking #9 out of 15 tracked cities at $1,486/mo.

What percentage of Albuquerque residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 38.2% of Albuquerque households are renters, while 61.8% are owner-occupied. Albuquerque leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Albuquerque rent compare to the national average?

Albuquerque's median rent of $1,486/mo is $479 (24%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within New Mexico, it ranks #9 out of 15 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
26%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,486/mo, rent takes ~26% of Albuquerque's median household income ($68,317/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Albuquerque 26%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1.7–5.9%
Run the Albuquerque affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Albuquerque
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Albuquerque, NM

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