New Mexico · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in Rio Arriba County, NM

Prices around Rio Arriba County, NM run 7.8% below the U.S. average (BEA, New Mexico). The typical household there earns $57,155 a year, and HUD puts a two-bedroom at $973 a month. Keeping that rent under 30% of income takes about $38,920 a year.

Rio Arriba County, NM at a glance

Median household income

$57,155$4,763 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$973HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)92.2-7.8% · BEA, New Mexico
Electricity15.1¢per kWh · EIA Residential NM
Population40,070Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in Rio Arriba 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$973Monthly market rent
Share of gross income20.4%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$38,920To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,429At 30% of $57,155
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

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

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

HUD Fair Market Rent in Rio Arriba County, NM, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$737$8,844$29,48015.5%
1-Bedroom Apartment$742$8,904$29,68015.6%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$973$11,676$38,92020.4%
3-Bedroom Home$1,199$14,388$47,96025.2%
4-Bedroom Home$1,437$17,244$57,48030.2%

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

What a typical income covers in Rio Arriba County, NM

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $57,155 a year ($4,763 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$2,381/moRent ($973 2-BR), utilities (~$136/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,429/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$953/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $57,155 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.

$57,155
$20,000$115,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$57,155
Net 81%
Fed 8%
NM 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$46,567After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,881Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,791Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18.5%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$4,679 / yr
New Mexico state income tax$1,537 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,372 / yr

Living in Rio Arriba County, NM: common questions

What is the median household income in Rio Arriba County, NM?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Rio Arriba County, NM is $57,155 per year (approximately $4,763 per month).

What is the average rent in Rio Arriba County, NM?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $737 for a studio, $742 for one bedroom, $973 for two, $1,199 for three and $1,437 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 Rio Arriba 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 Rio Arriba County, NM?

To keep a $973 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $38,920 a year, or $3,243 a month. That is 68% of what the typical household in Rio Arriba County, NM earns.

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

On the local median income of $57,155 ($4,763 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $2,381 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $1,429 for everything else and $953 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $973 takes 41% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in Rio Arriba 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.