Cost of Living in Union County, New Mexico
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
These figures are county medians, not a personal budget. Use them to frame rent, ownership, and income tradeoffs, then account for household size, commute, financing, insurance, taxes, debt, and local availability before making a decision.
How Union County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Union County ranks #456 of 3,142 counties for affordability (top 15%)
Sourced county brief
Union County Median Gross Rent Estimated at $683
The median gross rent in Union County is $683, which is $222 below the New Mexico unweighted county mean of $905. The official median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) is 27.0%. This canonical rent-to-income percentage is 1.4 percentage points lower than the state unweighted county mean of 28.4%. Median renter-household income in the county was estimated at $32,575. For owner-occupied housing, the median home value is $122,700, compared to the state unweighted county mean of $192,727. Median selected monthly owner costs for all units are $681, which is below the state unweighted county mean of $711. All figures are based on ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. See ACS table B25071 for the underlying estimate.
Source record
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25064 Median Gross Rent
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25071 GRAPI
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25077 Median Home Value
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25088 Selected Monthly Owner Costs
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25119 Household Income by Tenure
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-brief-v1
Cost of Living Advisory: Union County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 27.0% of renter household income in Union County, which is below the 30% affordability benchmark. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $683 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $681. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $27,320 in annual gross income would allocate 30% to the county's median gross rent. This is a reproducible illustration, not evidence that a particular household can afford housing.
Regional Context
The New Mexico unweighted mean of county median rents is $905 per month. Union County's $683 median is 24.5% below that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Union County
Rent Burden
17.6%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,090
per month
Owner Cost Burden
17.5%
of gross income
You can likely afford the median home in Union County
Median home value is $122,700. Estimated monthly cost: $980 vs. your max of $1,090.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
See how much you need to earn to comfortably afford housing
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
Based on the 30% rule for rent and 28% rule for housing costs (mortgage + owner costs). Mortgage estimate assumes 20% down, 7.2% interest, 30-year fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Union County, New Mexico?
What is the median rent in Union County?
Is Union County affordable?
How does Union County's rent compare to the state average?
What is the median home value in Union County?
Counties with Similar Housing Costs
Planning a Move?
Researching the cost of living in Union County, New Mexico? Compare moving quotes from top providers and save on your relocation.
Compare Moving QuotesCompare Mortgage Rates in Union County
Whether you're buying in Union County, New Mexico, or refinancing, compare rates from top lenders using the terms each lender provides.
See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2020-2024). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.
CostByCounty participates in affiliate programs. We may earn a commission when you use our links, at no extra cost to you.