Can A Dental Hygienist Afford Rent in Los Alamos, NM?

Rent-burdened — rent takes 40.3% of gross income.

Los Alamos rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (New Mexico state estimate).

Los Alamos median rent
$2,645/mo
Dental Hygienist salary (New Mexico)
$78,759/yr
Rent as % of income
40.3%
Gross monthly income works out to about $6,563, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,969/mo in rent. Los Alamos's median rent of $2,645 exceeds that threshold by $676/mo, putting a dental hygienist salary into the rent-burdened range here. A dental hygienist works roughly 69.9 hours a month to cover that rent.

About rent and a dental hygienist salary

Dental hygienist pay covers comfortable rent in most US metros. At the national-average dental-hygienist salary, the 30% rule supports about $2,188 a month in rent, which is above the median in most cities.

Cheaper rent nearby

These New Mexico cities have lower median rent than Los Alamos, which improves the affordability math on a dental hygienist salary:

Artesia, NM
$2,631/mo (40.1% of income)
Artesia, NM
$2,583/mo (39.4% of income)
Artesia, NM
$2,573/mo (39.2% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Los Alamos

View full rent data for Los Alamos, NM

Frequently asked questions

Can a dental hygienist afford rent in Los Alamos, NM?

Median rent in Los Alamos is $2,645 a month. A typical dental hygienist in New Mexico earns about $78,759 a year, which makes that rent 40.3% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.

How much rent can a dental hygienist afford in Los Alamos?

Using the 30% rule, a dental hygienist salary in New Mexico (~$78,759/yr) supports up to $1,969 a month in rent. Los Alamos's current median rent is $2,645/mo, which is $676/mo over the affordability threshold.

How many hours does a dental hygienist work to cover rent in Los Alamos?

At an hourly equivalent of about $38 an hour, a dental hygienist in New Mexico works roughly 69.9 hours a month to cover Los Alamos's median rent of $2,645.

Where is rent cheaper than Los Alamos for a dental hygienist?

Nearby New Mexico cities with lower median rent include Artesia ($2,631/mo), Artesia ($2,583/mo), Artesia ($2,573/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a dental hygienist salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived New Mexico state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for Los Alamos, NM. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.