Studio Apartment Rent in Rio Rancho, NM
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Rio Rancho, New Mexico as of July 2026. That's +37% lower than the citywide median of $1,857 and +10% below the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio in Rio Rancho
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a studio at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Rio Rancho
Compare Rio Rancho's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a studio in New Mexico
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alamogordo | $640 |
| 2 | Clovis | $670 |
| 3 | Portales | $680 |
| 4 | Roswell | $750 |
| 5 | Silver City | $770 |
| 6 | Carlsbad | $790 |
| 7 | Las Cruces | $800 |
| 8 | Santa Teresa | $800 |
| 9 | Hobbs | $810 |
| 10 | Farmington | $890 |
| 11 | Albuquerque | $949 |
| 12 | Los Lunas | $970 |
| 13 | Los Alamos | $990 |
| 14 | Rio Rancho (this page) | $1,165 |
| 15 | Santa Fe | $1,283 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in New Mexico
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Fe | $1,283 |
| 2 | Rio Rancho (this page) | $1,165 |
| 3 | Los Alamos | $990 |
| 4 | Los Lunas | $970 |
| 5 | Albuquerque | $949 |
| 6 | Farmington | $890 |
| 7 | Hobbs | $810 |
| 8 | Santa Teresa | $800 |
| 9 | Las Cruces | $800 |
| 10 | Carlsbad | $790 |
| 11 | Silver City | $770 |
| 12 | Roswell | $750 |
| 13 | Portales | $680 |
| 14 | Clovis | $670 |
| 15 | Alamogordo | $640 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Rio Rancho.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Rio Rancho |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque, NM | 15.6 mi | $949 | $-216 (-19%) |
| Los Lunas, NM | 45.8 mi | $970 | $-195 (-17%) |
| Los Alamos, NM | 49 mi | $990 | $-175 (-15%) |
| Santa Fe, NM | 60.2 mi | $1,283 | +$118 (+10%) |
| Farmington, NM | 140.4 mi | $890 | $-275 (-24%) |
| Roswell, NM | 198.2 mi | $750 | $-415 (-36%) |
Studio rent in Rio Rancho — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Rio Rancho?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Rio Rancho, New Mexico is $1,165 per month. This is +37% below the citywide median of $1,857.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Rio Rancho?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $46,600 ($3,883/month gross), which works out to roughly $22.40/hour at a full-time job.
Is Rio Rancho expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Rio Rancho's studio median of $1,165 is +10% below the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 40th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Rio Rancho rank for studio rent in New Mexico?
Among the 15 cities in New Mexico with studio data, Rio Rancho ranks #14 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Rio Rancho?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Albuquerque ($949), Los Lunas ($970), Los Alamos ($990).