Can A Licensed Practical Nurse Afford Rent in Rio Rancho, NM?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 40.7% of gross income.
Rio Rancho rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (New Mexico state estimate).
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 Rio Rancho, which improves the affordability math on a licensed practical nurse salary:
Compare with full rent data for Rio Rancho
View full rent data for Rio Rancho, NM →Frequently asked questions
Can a licensed practical nurse afford rent in Rio Rancho, NM?
Median rent in Rio Rancho is $1,857 a month. A typical licensed practical nurse in New Mexico earns about $54,711 a year, which makes that rent 40.7% 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 Rio Rancho?
Using the 30% rule, a licensed practical nurse salary in New Mexico (~$54,711/yr) supports up to $1,368 a month in rent. Rio Rancho's current median rent is $1,857/mo, which is $489/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a licensed practical nurse work to cover rent in Rio Rancho?
At an hourly equivalent of about $26 an hour, a licensed practical nurse in New Mexico works roughly 70.6 hours a month to cover Rio Rancho's median rent of $1,857.
Where is rent cheaper than Rio Rancho for a licensed practical nurse?
Nearby New Mexico cities with lower median rent include Ruidoso ($1,800/mo), Los Lunas ($1,795/mo), Los Lunas ($1,745/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a licensed practical nurse salary.