New Mexico · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in McKinley County, NM

Prices around McKinley County, NM run 7.8% below the U.S. average (BEA, New Mexico). The typical household there earns $47,668 a year, and HUD puts a two-bedroom at $1,090 a month. Keeping that rent under 30% of income takes about $43,600 a year.

McKinley County, NM at a glance

Median household income

$47,668$3,972 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$1,090HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)92.2-7.8% · BEA, New Mexico
Electricity15.1¢per kWh · EIA Residential NM
Population70,431Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in McKinley 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$1,090Monthly market rent
Share of gross income27.4%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$43,600To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,192At 30% of $47,668
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

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

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

HUD Fair Market Rent in McKinley County, NM, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$752$9,024$30,08018.9%
1-Bedroom Apartment$894$10,728$35,76022.5%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,090$13,080$43,60027.4%
3-Bedroom Home$1,307$15,684$52,28032.9%
4-Bedroom Home$1,443$17,316$57,72036.3%

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

What a typical income covers in McKinley County, NM

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $47,668 a year ($3,972 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$1,986/moRent ($1,090 2-BR), utilities (~$136/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,192/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$794/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $47,668 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.

$47,668
$15,000$100,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$47,668
Net 83%
Fed 7%
NM 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$39,384After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,282Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,515Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate17.4%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,540 / yr
New Mexico state income tax$1,097 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,647 / yr

Living in McKinley County, NM: common questions

What is the median household income in McKinley County, NM?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in McKinley County, NM is $47,668 per year (approximately $3,972 per month).

What is the average rent in McKinley County, NM?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $752 for a studio, $894 for one bedroom, $1,090 for two, $1,307 for three and $1,443 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 McKinley 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 McKinley County, NM?

To keep a $1,090 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $43,600 a year, or $3,633 a month. That is 91% of what the typical household in McKinley County, NM earns.

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

On the local median income of $47,668 ($3,972 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $1,986 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $1,192 for everything else and $794 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $1,090 takes 55% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in McKinley 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.