Can A Chef Afford Rent in Albuquerque, NM?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 30.2% of gross income.
Albuquerque rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (New Mexico state estimate).
About rent and a chef salary
Chef pay varies sharply by restaurant type, with executive chefs at high-end establishments earning materially above the BLS mean. At the national-average chef salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,604 a month in rent.
Cheaper rent nearby
These New Mexico cities have lower median rent than Albuquerque, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Albuquerque
View full rent data for Albuquerque, NM →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Albuquerque, NM?
Median rent in Albuquerque is $1,452 a month. A typical chef in New Mexico earns about $57,735 a year, which makes that rent 30.2% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a chef afford in Albuquerque?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in New Mexico (~$57,735/yr) supports up to $1,443 a month in rent. Albuquerque's current median rent is $1,452/mo, which is $9/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Albuquerque?
At an hourly equivalent of about $28 an hour, a chef in New Mexico works roughly 52.3 hours a month to cover Albuquerque's median rent of $1,452.
Where is rent cheaper than Albuquerque for a chef?
Nearby New Mexico cities with lower median rent include Alamogordo ($1,439/mo), Hobbs ($1,439/mo), Las Cruces ($1,439/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.