How much does it cost to rent in Roswell, NM?

As of August 2026, the median monthly rent in Roswell, NM is $1,273. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Roswell cheaper than other New Mexico cities?

Roswell is among the more affordable cities in New Mexico, ranking #13 out of 15 cities at $1,273/mo.

When was Roswell rent data last updated?

Roswell rent data reflects August 2026 and was last refreshed on August 17, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

What is the Fair Market Rent in Roswell, NM?

HUD sets the Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom home in Roswell, NM at $1,030 per month, which is 19% below the $1,273 market median. Fair Market Rent is the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) payment standard. It is a 40th-percentile gross rent that includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash, and HUD updates it once a year, so it measures something different from current market asking rent.

City Report · NM

Roswell

Name: Average Rent Prices in Roswell, NM
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Pop. 47,638·13th most expensive in New Mexico·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US

Median rent (all units)

$1,273/mo

Year-over-Year

+1.2%

Month-over-Month

-9.0%

vs US Median

-$689

Falling (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Roswell · $1,273

More affordable than 89% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo

Rent Reality Score

61/100

Good value

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 5% below what Roswell's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$1,273/mo

Expected by trend

$1,346/mo

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

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$750

1 BR

$800

2 BR

$1,030

3 BR

$1,330

4 BR+

$1,530

Fair Market Rent (HUD)

$1,030/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,273 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

Loading…

Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost

$15,276/yr

At $1,273/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Renter's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are down 1.2% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+1.2% YoY, -9.0% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Roswell, NM is majority owner-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 18.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

47,638

Median income

$51,583

Median age

37.1

Renters

31.4%

Age distribution

24.7%

23.2%

24.5%

16%

Under 1824.7%

18–3423.2%

35–5424.5%

55–6411.6%

65+16%

Gender

49.6%

50.4%

Male49.6%

Female50.4%

Race & ethnicity

52.3%

60.7%

White52.3%

Black1.9%

Hispanic60.7%

Asian2%

Education (25+)

18.9%

29.3%

33.2%

18.6%

No HS diploma18.9%

HS diploma29.3%

Some college33.2%

Bachelor's+18.6%

Housing tenure

68.6%

31.4%

Owner68.6%

Renter31.4%

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

2023 vs 2026

How Roswell, NM has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,283 → $1,273

down 0.8%

Income

$46,034 → $51,583

up 12.1%

Population

48,347 → 47,638

down 1.5%

Renter share

36.5% → 31.4%

-5.1 pts

Bachelor's+

17.8% → 18.6%

+0.8 pts

Median age

35.3 → 37.1

+1.8 yrs

The median rent in Roswell, NM stood at $1,283 in 2023 and currently runs about $1,273, reflecting a 0.8% decrease over the period. On the earnings side, the typical household in Roswell, NM now reports about $51,583, up from $46,034 in 2021. On paper, paychecks moved up faster than rent, which softens the affordability squeeze versus the 2021 baseline. The population has contracted by 1.5% since 2021, moving from about 48,347 residents to roughly 47,638. Renters now make up 31.4% of households, compared with 36.5% five years ago. For context, the 2023 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and Roswell, NM reflects that arc in its own way.

Community

Discussions about Roswell

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View Roswell rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Roswell on your salary?

At $1,273/mo, how Roswell rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $85,032/yr · Rent = 18% income

very comfortable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $60,372/yr · Rent = 25.3% income

affordable

Police Officer

Avg $69,543/yr · Rent = 22% income

affordable

Software Developer

Avg $124,299/yr · Rent = 12.3% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $158,823/yr · Rent = 9.6% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $56,529/yr · Rent = 27% income

affordable

Truck Driver

Avg $51,039/yr · Rent = 29.9% income

affordable

Electrician

Avg $62,910/yr · Rent = 24.3% income

affordable

By apartment size

Roswell rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Roswell

About renting in Roswell, NM

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Roswell is $1,273/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $750/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,030/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $800/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,330/mo.

At 30% of local median household income ($51,583/yr), Roswell ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 1.2% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Roswell an affordable city for renters?

Roswell is considered moderate for renters. At $1,273/mo, rent takes approximately 30% of the local median household income ($51,583/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Roswell slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Roswell?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $51,000/year (~$25/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,273/mo in Roswell. The local median household income is $51,583/yr, meaning the typical Roswell household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Roswell?

Rent in Roswell has increased 1.2% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

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

Roswell is one of the more affordable cities in New Mexico for rent, ranking #13 out of 15 tracked cities at $1,273/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Roswell?

Portales is nearby and more affordable at $975/mo, which is $298 less than Roswell.

What percentage of Roswell residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 31.4% of Roswell households are renters, while 68.6% are owner-occupied. Roswell leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Roswell rent compare to the national average?

Roswell's median rent of $1,273/mo is $689 (35%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within New Mexico, it ranks #13 out of 15 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

30%

MODERATE

At $1,273/mo, rent takes ~30% of Roswell's median household income ($51,583/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Roswell 30%Benchmark 30%

State income tax1.7–5.9%

Run the Roswell affordability calculator →

Nearby cities