New Mexico · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in Los Alamos County, NM

Prices around Los Alamos County, NM run 7.8% below the U.S. average (BEA, New Mexico). The typical household there earns $147,139 a year, and HUD puts a two-bedroom at $1,740 a month. Keeping that rent under 30% of income takes about $69,600 a year.

Los Alamos County, NM at a glance

Median household income

$147,139$12,262 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$1,740HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)92.2-7.8% · BEA, New Mexico
Electricity15.1¢per kWh · EIA Residential NM
Population19,435Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in Los Alamos County, NM?

HUD’s fair market rent for each size, against what a typical household here earns. Change the income to see yours.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,740Monthly market rent
Share of gross income14.2%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$69,600To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$3,678At 30% of $147,139
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

How much is rent in Los Alamos County, NM? By bedroom, 2026

HUD's fiscal 2026 Fair Market Rents for Los Alamos County, NM, with the income each one takes if rent stays under 30% of it.

HUD Fair Market Rent in Los Alamos County, NM, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,200$14,400$48,0009.8%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,326$15,912$53,04010.8%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,740$20,880$69,60014.2%
3-Bedroom Home$2,086$25,032$83,44017%
4-Bedroom Home$2,843$34,116$113,72023.2%

Rent in Los Alamos County, NM, with the wage each unit needs →

What a typical income covers in Los Alamos County, NM

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $147,139 a year ($12,262 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$6,131/moRent ($1,740 2-BR), utilities (~$136/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$3,678/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$2,452/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $147,139 leaves after New Mexico taxes

Federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and New Mexico tax on the local median income. Change the salary to see yours.

$147,139
$55,000$295,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$147,139
Net 72%
Fed 16%
NM 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$105,939After all taxes
Monthly deposit$8,828Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$4,075Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate28%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$24,047 / yr
New Mexico state income tax$5,896 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$11,256 / yr

Living in Los Alamos County, NM: common questions

What is the median household income in Los Alamos County, NM?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Los Alamos County, NM is $147,139 per year (approximately $12,262 per month).

What is the average rent in Los Alamos County, NM?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $1,200 for a studio, $1,326 for one bedroom, $1,740 for two, $2,086 for three and $2,843 for four, utilities included.

It is not an average of listings. HUD sets it at the rent 40% of recent movers paid or less for a standard unit, so a new lease on a nicer place will usually cost more.

Is Los Alamos County, NM expensive to live in?

Prices there run 7.8% below the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for New Mexico is 92.2, where the U.S. is 100. Rent moves the number most: housing is where places differ, while goods cost about the same everywhere.

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Los Alamos County, NM?

To keep a $1,740 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $69,600 a year, or $5,800 a month. That is 47% of what the typical household in Los Alamos County, NM earns.

How much do you need to live comfortably in Los Alamos County, NM?

On the local median income of $147,139 ($12,262 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $6,131 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $3,678 for everything else and $2,452 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $1,740 takes 28% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in Los Alamos County, NM?

Homes in New Mexico paid 15.1¢ per kWh on average (EIA). At 900 kWh a month, a typical use, that is about $136. Your bill depends mostly on heating and cooling.