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City Report · NM

Carlsbad

Pop. 31,746·6th most expensive in New Mexico·Rental market data updated monthly for Carlsbad, NM
Median rent (all units)
$1,654/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+5.5%
vs US Median
-$308
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Carlsbad · $1,654
More affordable than 65% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
27% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,654/mo, rent takes about 27% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$66,000/yr
Local median income
$72,306/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Carlsbad's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$790
1 BR
$980
2 BR
$1,080
3 BR
$1,430
4 BR+
$1,490
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,080/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,654 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$19,848/yr
At $1,654/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 0.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +5.5% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Carlsbad, NM is majority owner-occupied, 19.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
31,746
Median income
$72,306
Median age
36.7
Renters
29.8%
Age distribution
23.8%
23.7%
25.9%
15.9%
Under 1823.8%
18–3423.7%
35–5425.9%
55–6410.7%
65+15.9%
Gender
52.4%
47.6%
Male52.4%
Female47.6%
Race & ethnicity
51.2%
53.5%
White51.2%
Black2.7%
Hispanic53.5%
Asian0.8%
Education (25+)
18.8%
28.1%
33.8%
19.2%
No HS diploma18.8%
HS diploma28.1%
Some college33.8%
Bachelor's+19.2%
Housing tenure
70.2%
29.8%
Owner70.2%
Renter29.8%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Carlsbad, NM has changed in 5 years

Income
$70,745 → $72,306
up 2.2%
Population
31,525 → 31,746
up 0.7%
Renter share
29.9% → 29.8%
-0.1 pts
Bachelor's+
18% → 19.2%
+1.2 pts
Median age
35.1 → 36.7
+1.6 yrs

Household income in the area moved from $70,745 to $72,306 across the same window, up 2.2% versus 2021.

Community

Discussions about Carlsbad

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

Can you afford rent in Carlsbad on your salary?

At $1,654/mo, how Carlsbad rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Carlsbad rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Carlsbad

About renting in Carlsbad, NM

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Carlsbad is $1,654/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $790/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,080/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $980/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,430/mo.

At 27% of local median household income ($72,306/yr), Carlsbad ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Carlsbad an affordable city for renters?

Carlsbad is considered affordable for renters. At $1,654/mo, rent takes approximately 27% of the local median household income ($72,306/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Carlsbad falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Carlsbad?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $66,000/year (~$32/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,654/mo in Carlsbad. The local median household income is $72,306/yr, meaning the typical Carlsbad household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Carlsbad?

Rent in Carlsbad has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of August 2026.

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

Carlsbad is middle-of-the-pack for New Mexico for rent, ranking #6 out of 15 tracked cities at $1,654/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Carlsbad?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Carlsbad ($1,654/mo): Roswell ($1,273/mo), Hobbs ($1,439/mo).

What percentage of Carlsbad residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 29.8% of Carlsbad households are renters, while 70.2% are owner-occupied. Carlsbad leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Carlsbad rent compare to the national average?

Carlsbad's median rent of $1,654/mo is $308 (16%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within New Mexico, it ranks #6 out of 15 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
27%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,654/mo, rent takes ~27% of Carlsbad's median household income ($72,306/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Carlsbad 27%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1.7–5.9%
Run the Carlsbad affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Carlsbad, NM

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