Can A Licensed Practical Nurse Afford Rent in Farmington, NM?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 33.7% of gross income.

Farmington rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (New Mexico state estimate).

Farmington median rent
$1,535/mo
Licensed Practical Nurse salary (New Mexico)
$54,711/yr
Rent as % of income
33.7%
Gross monthly income works out to about $4,559, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,368/mo in rent. Farmington's median rent of $1,535 exceeds that threshold by $167/mo, putting a licensed practical nurse salary into the rent-burdened range here. A licensed practical nurse works roughly 58.4 hours a month to cover that rent.

About rent and a licensed practical nurse salary

LPN pay sits modestly above the US median household income and covers comfortable rent in most lower- and mid-cost metros. At the national-average LPN salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,520 a month in rent. The per-city pages show which markets stay in range.

Cheaper rent nearby

These New Mexico cities have lower median rent than Farmington, which improves the affordability math on a licensed practical nurse salary:

Alamogordo, NM
$1,533/mo (33.6% of income)
Alamogordo, NM
$1,525/mo (33.4% of income)
Carlsbad, NM
$1,519/mo (33.3% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Farmington

View full rent data for Farmington, NM →

Frequently asked questions

Can a licensed practical nurse afford rent in Farmington, NM?

Median rent in Farmington is $1,535 a month. A typical licensed practical nurse in New Mexico earns about $54,711 a year, which makes that rent 33.7% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.

How much rent can a licensed practical nurse afford in Farmington?

Using the 30% rule, a licensed practical nurse salary in New Mexico (~$54,711/yr) supports up to $1,368 a month in rent. Farmington's current median rent is $1,535/mo, which is $167/mo over the affordability threshold.

How many hours does a licensed practical nurse work to cover rent in Farmington?

At an hourly equivalent of about $26 an hour, a licensed practical nurse in New Mexico works roughly 58.4 hours a month to cover Farmington's median rent of $1,535.

Where is rent cheaper than Farmington for a licensed practical nurse?

Nearby New Mexico cities with lower median rent include Alamogordo ($1,533/mo), Alamogordo ($1,525/mo), Carlsbad ($1,519/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a licensed practical nurse salary.

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