Can A Plumber Afford Rent in Rio Rancho, NM?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 36.9% of gross income.
Rio Rancho rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (New Mexico state estimate).
About rent and a plumber salary
Plumber pay sits comfortably above the US median household income and covers affordable rent in most US metros. At the national-average plumber salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,678 a month in rent. The per-city pages combine local rent with local plumber-pay estimates so renters can see where the math works.
Cheaper rent nearby
These New Mexico cities have lower median rent than Rio Rancho, which improves the affordability math on a plumber salary:
Compare with full rent data for Rio Rancho
View full rent data for Rio Rancho, NM →Frequently asked questions
Can a plumber afford rent in Rio Rancho, NM?
Median rent in Rio Rancho is $1,857 a month. A typical plumber in New Mexico earns about $60,390 a year, which makes that rent 36.9% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a plumber afford in Rio Rancho?
Using the 30% rule, a plumber salary in New Mexico (~$60,390/yr) supports up to $1,510 a month in rent. Rio Rancho's current median rent is $1,857/mo, which is $347/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a plumber work to cover rent in Rio Rancho?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a plumber in New Mexico works roughly 64 hours a month to cover Rio Rancho's median rent of $1,857.
Where is rent cheaper than Rio Rancho for a plumber?
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 plumber salary.