Best rent-to-income cities in New Mexico

Cities in New Mexico ranked by lowest rent as a percentage of median household income. Cities with 15,000+ residents.

Key findings

Rio Rancho ranks first, with rent at 25.0% of median household income.
Across all 11 cities on this list, the median rent is $1,533/mo.

Data as of September 2026. Twelve months of median rent as a share of Census median household income (5-year estimates). Updated monthly. Download this list (CSV)

Best value (RRS)Overheated (RRS)Most affordable Most expensive Rent falling Rent rising Best rent/income Most rent-burdened Record-high rent Seasonal swings Rent vs. income

11 cities

Rank	City	Rent/income	Median rent	Income	Vs. a year ago
01	Rio RanchoNM Pop. 109KCompare →	25.0%	$1,867/mo	$89,596	same
02	AlbuquerqueNM Pop. 562KCompare →	25.5%	$1,452/mo	$68,317	same
03	CarlsbadNM Pop. 32KCompare →	26.5%	$1,596/mo	$72,306	--
04	FarmingtonNM Pop. 46KCompare →	26.8%	$1,535/mo	$68,784	same
05	HobbsNM Pop. 40KCompare →	27.8%	$1,484/mo	$64,021	↓2 from #3
06	ClovisNM Pop. 38KCompare →	28.8%	$1,315/mo	$54,820	same
07	RoswellNM Pop. 48KCompare →	29.4%	$1,263/mo	$51,583	↓2 from #5
08	Las CrucesNM Pop. 114KCompare →	31.2%	$1,439/mo	$55,422	↓1 from #7
09	Santa FeNM Pop. 89KCompare →	31.9%	$1,956/mo	$73,482	same
10	AlamogordoNM Pop. 31KCompare →	32.9%	$1,533/mo	$55,952	↓2 from #8
11	Los LunasNM Pop. 19KCompare →	39.3%	$2,040/mo	$62,330	↓1 from #10