Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Los Alamos, NM?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 54.2% of gross income.
Los Alamos rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (New Mexico state estimate).
About rent and a firefighter salary
Firefighter base pay plus typical overtime sits modestly above the US median household income, but local rent levels determine whether that translates into affordability or rent burden. At the national-average firefighter base salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,570 a month in rent. The per-city pages compare local rent against local firefighter-pay estimates so renters can see where rent stays in range.
Cheaper rent nearby
These New Mexico cities have lower median rent than Los Alamos, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Los Alamos
View full rent data for Los Alamos, NM →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Los Alamos, NM?
Median rent in Los Alamos is $2,554 a month. A typical firefighter in New Mexico earns about $56,529 a year, which makes that rent 54.2% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a firefighter afford in Los Alamos?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in New Mexico (~$56,529/yr) supports up to $1,413 a month in rent. Los Alamos's current median rent is $2,554/mo, which is $1,141/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Los Alamos?
At an hourly equivalent of about $27 an hour, a firefighter in New Mexico works roughly 94 hours a month to cover Los Alamos's median rent of $2,554.
Where is rent cheaper than Los Alamos for a firefighter?
Nearby New Mexico cities with lower median rent include Artesia ($2,533/mo), Los Lunas ($2,216/mo), Los Lunas ($2,171/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.