Cost of Living in Los Alamos County, New Mexico
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
How Los Alamos County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
Data Story
About Cost of Living in Los Alamos County, New Mexico
Los Alamos dominates on income and affordability
Los Alamos County residents earn a median household income of $143,188—91% above the national median of $74,755—and spend just 11.0% of income on rent, far below the national comfort zone and the state average of 19.4%. This combination makes Los Alamos the state's most affluent housing market by a substantial margin.
New Mexico's wealthiest county by far
Los Alamos County dramatically outpaces all other New Mexico counties, with a median income nearly triple the state median and a rent-to-income ratio that beats every other county. The county's National Laboratory economy creates a high-wage enclave unlike anywhere else in the state.
Incomes and costs both exceptional
Los Alamos's $143,188 median income dwarfs every comparison county, with Eddy ($79,605) being the nearest competitor at just 55% of Los Alamos earnings. Home values ($452,500 median) are similarly extraordinary, reflecting a completely separate housing market.
High costs, but higher incomes absorb them
Renters pay $1,308 monthly while owners pay $1,634, with median home values around $452,500—New Mexico's highest. At $143,188 median household income, housing costs consume only 11.0% of gross income, leaving substantial room for savings and investment.
Los Alamos: exclusive market, elite incomes
Los Alamos offers unmatched housing affordability ratios, but entry requires a Laboratory job or professional credentials that command similar salaries. If you can secure high-paying technical or scientific employment here, you'll enjoy New Mexico's best affordability picture—and the nation's.
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Los Alamos County
Rent Burden
11.0%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$3,341
per month
Owner Cost Burden
13.7%
of gross income
The median home in Los Alamos County may be a stretch
Median home value is $452,500. Estimated monthly cost: $3,612 vs. your max of $3,341.
Rent Affordability Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
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See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023) — Informational only. Not financial or legal advice.