New Mexico Cost of Living
Housing costs and affordability data for 33 counties.
Average Monthly Rent
$876/mo
Average Home Value
$181,648
Average Owner Cost
$687/mo
County cost atlas
New Mexico housing costs by county
Compare rent, entry-price context, owner costs, and cost score in one state view. Pin a county, switch layers, then open the full county profile when a place needs closer review.
Counties
33
Avg rent
$876/mo
Owner cost
$687/mo
Avg score
64.0
Higher means lower cost pressure
Atlas layers use U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates. Rent, owner cost, and home value are county medians. Cost score rewards lower rent and lower owner costs, but affordability still depends on income, household size, commute, debt, and personal finances. Use this as decision context, not personalized financial advice.
State Cost Summary
Use these state averages as a starting point, then scan the atlas and rankings for the county-level spread behind them.
Housing Costs in New Mexico: An Overview
The median rent in New Mexico is $876 per month, which is 25% below the national median of $1,163. That is useful statewide context, but rent burden still depends on local income, household size, commute, and the county a household chooses.
Within New Mexico, housing costs vary significantly by county. Sandoval County has the highest median rent in this dataset at $1,408 per month and a median home value of $282,300. Guadalupe County has the lowest reported median rent at $515 per month and a median home value of $107,200.
The average home value across New Mexico counties is $181,648, 36% lower than the national median of $281,900. Median household income is roughly $55,469, so home values should be read alongside local wages, financing costs, taxes, insurance, and supply.
Before comparing places in New Mexico, start with the county-level pattern. Costs can swing dramatically between rural and urban counties. Use the atlas, rankings, and county links below to compare rent, home values, owner costs, and rent burden before opening a specific county profile.
Distribution
Rent Distribution in New Mexico
How median rents are spread across 33 counties
Highest Median Rent Counties
Lowest Median Rent Counties
All New Mexico Counties
Sorted by median rent, highest first. A higher cost score means lower rent and owner cost pressure within the national scoring model.
| County | Median Rent | Home Value | Owner Cost | Cost Score | Rent/Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sandoval County | Moderate$1,408/mo | $282,300 | $1,180/mo | 13.9 | 30.0% |
| Santa Fe County | Moderate$1,318/mo | $416,900 | $1,183/mo | 15.2 | 29.0% |
| Los Alamos County | Moderate$1,308/mo | $452,500 | $1,634/mo | 8.9 | 16.0% |
| Eddy County | Moderate$1,183/mo | $199,400 | $739/mo | 39.9 | 25.0% |
| Lea County | Moderate$1,119/mo | $176,000 | $699/mo | 44.2 | 28.0% |
| Bernalillo County | Moderate$1,087/mo | $268,500 | $1,192/mo | 20.1 | 30.0% |
| Taos County | Moderate$1,069/mo | $354,000 | $695/mo | 46.3 | 34.0% |
| Curry County | Affordable$987/mo | $160,800 | $879/mo | 36.5 | 29.0% |
| Valencia County | Affordable$970/mo | $206,800 | $798/mo | 43.4 | 30.0% |
| Otero County | Affordable$926/mo | $149,500 | $628/mo | 58.5 | 28.0% |
| San Juan County | Affordable$917/mo | $185,100 | $751/mo | 50.1 | 28.0% |
| Doña Ana County | Affordable$903/mo | $205,400 | $842/mo | 45.1 | 33.0% |
| Lincoln County | Affordable$883/mo | $212,200 | $699/mo | 56.5 | 33.0% |
| Roosevelt County | Affordable$863/mo | $136,000 | $868/mo | 46.6 | 29.0% |
| Torrance County | Affordable$845/mo | $145,100 | $599/mo | 67.7 | 24.0% |
| Chaves County | Affordable$838/mo | $141,900 | $660/mo | 64.7 | 27.0% |
| Grant County | Affordable$810/mo | $164,400 | $491/mo | 77.5 | 30.0% |
| McKinley County | Affordable$810/mo | $72,100 | $351/mo | 79.6 | 22.0% |
| Hidalgo County | Affordable$803/mo | $114,000 | $537/mo | 76.5 | 34.0% |
| Mora County | Affordable$785/mo | $119,900 | $544/mo | 78.7 | 25.0% |
| San Miguel County | Affordable$774/mo | $177,600 | $531/mo | 80.7 | 32.0% |
| Rio Arriba County | Affordable$760/mo | $230,900 | $497/mo | 83.9 | 22.0% |
| Quay County | Affordable$752/mo | $82,200 | $527/mo | 83.7 | 24.0% |
| Catron County | Affordable$740/mo | $171,800 | $397/mo | 88.3 | 17.0% |
| De Baca County | Affordable$727/mo | $158,000 | $503/mo | 87.4 | 37.0% |
| Cibola County | Affordable$724/mo | $120,000 | $450/mo | 89.5 | 30.0% |
| Colfax County | Affordable$704/mo | $161,000 | $675/mo | 79.5 | 23.0% |
| Harding County | Affordable$700/mo | $86,500 | $474/mo | 91.1 | 11.0% |
| Sierra County | Affordable$695/mo | $144,800 | $464/mo | 91.9 | 30.0% |
| Luna County | Affordable$685/mo | $112,500 | $560/mo | 88.7 | 30.0% |
| Socorro County | Affordable$653/mo | $143,200 | $473/mo | 94.3 | 32.0% |
| Union County | Affordable$650/mo | $135,900 | $635/mo | 85.6 | 26.0% |
| Guadalupe County | Affordable$515/mo | $107,200 | $511/mo | 96.3 | 25.0% |
Compare New Mexico to Other States
See how New Mexico counties stack up against counties in other states. Compare rent, home values, and affordability side by side.
Start a ComparisonFrequently Asked Questions About New Mexico Housing Costs
What is the most affordable county in New Mexico?
What is the most expensive county to live in New Mexico?
How does New Mexico's cost of living compare to the national average?
What is the average home value in New Mexico?
Planning a Move?
Researching the cost of living in New Mexico, New Mexico? Compare moving quotes from top providers and save on your relocation.
Compare Moving QuotesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.