Can A Retail Salesperson Afford Rent in Los Alamos, NM?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 95.1% of gross income.
Los Alamos rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (New Mexico state estimate).
About rent and a retail salesperson salary
Retail pay sits below the rent threshold needed for solo apartment living in most US metros, which is the central tension behind the widely studied retail-housing affordability gap. At the national-average retail salary, the 30% rule supports about $927 a month in rent — below the median one-bedroom rent in nearly every metro tracked here. The per-city pages show which markets are least out of reach.
Cheaper rent nearby
These New Mexico cities have lower median rent than Los Alamos, which improves the affordability math on a retail salesperson salary:
Compare with full rent data for Los Alamos
View full rent data for Los Alamos, NM →Frequently asked questions
Can a retail salesperson afford rent in Los Alamos, NM?
Median rent in Los Alamos is $2,645 a month. A typical retail salesperson in New Mexico earns about $33,363 a year, which makes that rent 95.1% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a retail salesperson afford in Los Alamos?
Using the 30% rule, a retail salesperson salary in New Mexico (~$33,363/yr) supports up to $834 a month in rent. Los Alamos's current median rent is $2,645/mo, which is $1,811/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a retail salesperson work to cover rent in Los Alamos?
At an hourly equivalent of about $16 an hour, a retail salesperson in New Mexico works roughly 164.9 hours a month to cover Los Alamos's median rent of $2,645.
Where is rent cheaper than Los Alamos for a retail salesperson?
Nearby New Mexico cities with lower median rent include Artesia ($2,631/mo), Artesia ($2,583/mo), Artesia ($2,573/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a retail salesperson salary.