How much does it cost to rent in Rio Rancho, NM?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Rio Rancho, NM is $1,857. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Rio Rancho cheaper than other New Mexico cities?

Rio Rancho is one of the pricier cities in New Mexico, ranking #4 out of 15 cities tracked at $1,857/mo.

When was Rio Rancho rent data last updated?

Rio Rancho rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · NM

Rio Rancho

Name: Average Rent Prices in Rio Rancho, NM
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 108,515·4th most expensive in New Mexico·Rental market data updated monthly for Rio Rancho, NM

Median rent (all units)

$1,857/mo

Year-over-Year

-0.4%

Month-over-Month

+7.6%

vs US Median

-$108

Rising (Monthly)

Be the first to discuss Rio Rancho rents ↓

Most AffordableMost Expensive

Rio Rancho · $1,857

More expensive than 50% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

54/100

Fairly priced

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 2% below what Rio Rancho's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$1,857/mo

Expected by trend

$1,896/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Rio Rancho's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,165

1 BR

$1,380

2 BR

$1,695

3 BR

$2,375

4 BR+

$2,815

Research median

$1,695/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

$22,284/yr

At $1,857/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 0.4% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (-0.4% YoY, +7.6% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Rio Rancho, NM is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 34% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

108,515

Median income

$89,596

Median age

39.5

Renters

17.8%

Age distribution

22.8%

20.5%

26.6%

12.5%

17.6%

Under 1822.8%

18–3420.5%

35–5426.6%

55–6412.5%

65+17.6%

Gender

49.6%

50.4%

Male49.6%

Female50.4%

Race & ethnicity

55.9%

42.1%

White55.9%

Black3%

Hispanic42.1%

Asian1.6%

Education (25+)

24%

37.2%

34%

No HS diploma4.8%

HS diploma24%

Some college37.2%

Bachelor's+34%

Housing tenure

82.2%

17.8%

Owner82.2%

Renter17.8%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Rio Rancho, NM has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,237 → $1,857

up 50.1%

Income

$70,615 → $89,596

up 26.9%

Population

102,403 → 108,515

up 6.0%

Renter share

21.3% → 17.8%

-3.5 pts

Bachelor's+

31.4% → 34%

+2.6 pts

Median age

38.7 → 39.5

+0.8 yrs

Compared with 2021, rent in Rio Rancho, NM has climbed by $620 per month, settling near $1,857 after starting the period at $1,237. Median household income grew from $70,615 to $89,596 between 2021 and 2024, a 26.9% shift. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 23.2 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 102,403 to 108,515 between 2021 and 2024, a 6.0% change. About 17.8% of households rent today, against 21.3% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 31.4% to 34%. Taken together, the five-year picture in Rio Rancho, NM reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.

Community

Discussions about Rio Rancho

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View Rio Rancho rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Rio Rancho on your salary?

At $1,857/mo, how Rio Rancho rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $85,032/yr · Rent = 26.2% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $60,372/yr · Rent = 36.9% income

stretched

Police Officer

Avg $69,543/yr · Rent = 32% income

stretched

Software Developer

Avg $124,299/yr · Rent = 17.9% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $158,823/yr · Rent = 14% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $56,529/yr · Rent = 39.4% income

stretched

Truck Driver

Avg $51,039/yr · Rent = 43.7% income

rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $62,910/yr · Rent = 35.4% income

stretched

By apartment size

Rio Rancho rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Rio Rancho

About renting in Rio Rancho, NM

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Rio Rancho is $1,857/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,165/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,695/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,380/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,375/mo.

At 25% of local median household income ($89,596/yr), Rio Rancho ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 0.4% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Rio Rancho an affordable city for renters?

Rio Rancho is considered affordable for renters. At $1,857/mo, rent takes approximately 25% of the local median household income ($89,596/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Rio Rancho falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Rio Rancho?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $74,000/year (~$36/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,857/mo in Rio Rancho. The local median household income is $89,596/yr, meaning the typical Rio Rancho household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Rio Rancho?

Rent in Rio Rancho has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.4% change year over year as of July 2026.

Which Rio Rancho neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Rio Rancho are 87124 ($1,684/mo), and 87144 ($2,124/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Rio Rancho is $1,857/mo.

How does Rio Rancho rent compare to other cities in New Mexico?

Rio Rancho is one of the pricier cities in New Mexico for rent, ranking #4 out of 15 tracked cities at $1,857/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Rio Rancho?

Albuquerque is nearby and more affordable at $1,486/mo, which is $371 less than Rio Rancho.

What percentage of Rio Rancho residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 17.8% of Rio Rancho households are renters, while 82.2% are owner-occupied. Rio Rancho leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Rio Rancho rent compare to the national average?

Rio Rancho's median rent of $1,857/mo is $108 (5%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within New Mexico, it ranks #4 out of 15 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

25%

AFFORDABLE

At $1,857/mo, rent takes ~25% of Rio Rancho's median household income ($89,596/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Rio Rancho 25%Benchmark 30%

State income tax1.7–5.9%

Run the Rio Rancho affordability calculator →

Nearby cities