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City Report · NM

Los Alamos

Pop. 13,317·1st most expensive in New Mexico·One of the pricier rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$2,645/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-1.8%
vs US Median
+$680
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Los Alamos · $2,645
More expensive than 83% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
23% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,645/mo, rent takes about 23% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$106,000/yr
Local median income
$141,018/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Los Alamos's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$990
1 BR
$1,100
2 BR
$1,400
3 BR
$1,890
4 BR+
$2,350
Research median
$1,400/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
$31,740/yr
At $2,645/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are softening (down 0.0% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -1.8% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Los Alamos, NM is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 69.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
13,317
Median income
$141,018
Median age
38.8
Renters
33.5%
Age distribution
20.2%
22.4%
25.7%
14.3%
17.4%
Under 1820.2%
18–3422.4%
35–5425.7%
55–6414.3%
65+17.4%
Gender
53.6%
46.4%
Male53.6%
Female46.4%
Race & ethnicity
74.1%
17.9%
White74.1%
Black0.8%
Hispanic17.9%
Asian6.3%
Other0.9%
Education (25+)
18.3%
69.8%
No HS diploma2.4%
HS diploma9.5%
Some college18.3%
Bachelor's+69.8%
Housing tenure
66.5%
33.5%
Owner66.5%
Renter33.5%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Los Alamos, NM has changed in 5 years

Income
$118,293 → $141,018
up 19.2%
Population
13,270 → 13,317
up 0.4%
Renter share
32.8% → 33.5%
+0.7 pts
Bachelor's+
69% → 69.8%
+0.8 pts
Median age
41.4 → 38.8
-2.6 yrs

Median household income climbed from $118,293 to $141,018 between 2021 and 2024, a 19.2% shift.

Community

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View Los Alamos rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Los Alamos on your salary?

At $2,645/mo, how Los Alamos rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Los Alamos rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Los Alamos

About renting in Los Alamos, NM

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Los Alamos is $2,645/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $990/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,400/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,100/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,890/mo.

At 23% of local median household income ($141,018/yr), Los Alamos ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Los Alamos an affordable city for renters?

Los Alamos is considered very affordable for renters. At $2,645/mo, rent takes approximately 23% of the local median household income ($141,018/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Los Alamos falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Los Alamos?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $106,000/year (~$51/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,645/mo in Los Alamos. The local median household income is $141,018/yr, meaning the typical Los Alamos household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Los Alamos?

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

How does Los Alamos rent compare to other cities in New Mexico?

Los Alamos is one of the pricier cities in New Mexico for rent, ranking #1 out of 15 tracked cities at $2,645/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Los Alamos?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Los Alamos ($2,645/mo): Albuquerque ($1,486/mo), Rio Rancho ($1,857/mo), Santa Fe ($1,932/mo).

What percentage of Los Alamos residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 33.5% of Los Alamos households are renters, while 66.5% are owner-occupied. Los Alamos leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Los Alamos rent compare to the national average?

Los Alamos's median rent of $2,645/mo is $680 (35%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within New Mexico, it ranks #1 out of 15 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
23%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $2,645/mo, rent takes ~23% of Los Alamos's median household income ($141,018/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Los Alamos 23%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1.7–5.9%
Run the Los Alamos affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Los Alamos, NM

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