Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Rio Rancho, NM?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 46.6% of gross income.
Rio Rancho rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (New Mexico state estimate).
About rent and a paramedic salary
Paramedic and EMT base pay sits modestly below the US median household income and is often supplemented by overtime. At the national-average paramedic salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,330 a month in rent.
Cheaper rent nearby
These New Mexico cities have lower median rent than Rio Rancho, which improves the affordability math on a paramedic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Rio Rancho
View full rent data for Rio Rancho, NM →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Rio Rancho, NM?
Median rent in Rio Rancho is $1,857 a month. A typical paramedic in New Mexico earns about $47,862 a year, which makes that rent 46.6% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a paramedic afford in Rio Rancho?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in New Mexico (~$47,862/yr) supports up to $1,197 a month in rent. Rio Rancho's current median rent is $1,857/mo, which is $660/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Rio Rancho?
At an hourly equivalent of about $23 an hour, a paramedic in New Mexico works roughly 80.7 hours a month to cover Rio Rancho's median rent of $1,857.
Where is rent cheaper than Rio Rancho for a paramedic?
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 paramedic salary.