Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Santa Fe, NM?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 41% of gross income.
Santa Fe rent: June 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 Santa Fe, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Santa Fe
View full rent data for Santa Fe, NM →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Santa Fe, NM?
Median rent in Santa Fe is $1,932 a month. A typical firefighter in New Mexico earns about $56,529 a year, which makes that rent 41% 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 Santa Fe?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in New Mexico (~$56,529/yr) supports up to $1,413 a month in rent. Santa Fe's current median rent is $1,932/mo, which is $519/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Santa Fe?
At an hourly equivalent of about $27 an hour, a firefighter in New Mexico works roughly 71.1 hours a month to cover Santa Fe's median rent of $1,932.
Where is rent cheaper than Santa Fe for a firefighter?
Nearby New Mexico cities with lower median rent include Los Lunas ($1,928/mo), Rio Rancho ($1,902/mo), Rio Rancho ($1,895/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.