New Mexico · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in Valencia County, NM

Prices around Valencia County, NM run 4.5% below the U.S. average (BEA, the metro area). The typical household there earns $58,933 a year, and HUD puts a two-bedroom at $1,464 a month. Keeping that rent under 30% of income takes about $58,560 a year.

Valencia County, NM at a glance

Median household income

$58,933$4,911 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$1,464HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)95.5-4.5% · BEA, the metro area
Electricity15.1¢per kWh · EIA Residential NM
Population78,458Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in Valencia 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$1,464Monthly market rent
Share of gross income29.8%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$58,560To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,473At 30% of $58,933
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

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

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

HUD Fair Market Rent in Valencia County, NM, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,009$12,108$40,36020.5%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,185$14,220$47,40024.1%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,464$17,568$58,56029.8%
3-Bedroom Home$2,036$24,432$81,44041.5%
4-Bedroom Home$2,399$28,788$95,96048.8%

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

What a typical income covers in Valencia County, NM

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $58,933 a year ($4,911 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$2,456/moRent ($1,464 2-BR), utilities (~$136/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,473/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$982/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $58,933 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.

$58,933
$20,000$120,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$58,933
Net 81%
Fed 8%
NM 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$47,912After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,993Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,843Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18.7%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$4,892 / yr
New Mexico state income tax$1,621 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,508 / yr

Living in Valencia County, NM: common questions

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Valencia County, NM is $58,933 per year (approximately $4,911 per month).

What is the average rent in Valencia County, NM?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $1,009 for a studio, $1,185 for one bedroom, $1,464 for two, $2,036 for three and $2,399 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 Valencia County, NM expensive to live in?

Prices there run 4.5% below the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for the metro area is 95.5, 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 Valencia County, NM?

To keep a $1,464 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $58,560 a year, or $4,880 a month. That is 99% of what the typical household in Valencia County, NM earns.

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

On the local median income of $58,933 ($4,911 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $2,456 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $1,473 for everything else and $982 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $1,464 takes 60% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in Valencia 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.