New Mexico Housing & Living Wage Index

New Mexico Cost of Living & Rents (2026)

Compare HUD Fair Market Rents, living wages, and composite living cost indices across all 4 benchmark metropolitan areas in New Mexico.

Data updated · Sources: HUD FY 2027 Fair Market Rents, EPI 2026 Family Budget · Methodology

Composite COL Index 105.0 US Benchmark = 100.0
Average 1BR Rent $1,089 HUD Fair Market Rent
Single Living Wage $23.21/hr EPI Living Wage Standard
Family Living Wage $21.80/hr 2 Adults + 1 Child

Metropolitan Areas in New Mexico

Metro AreaCOL IndexHUD 1BR RentHUD 2BR RentLiving WageReport
Santa Fe, NM 116.2 $1,413/mo $1,735/mo $25.70/hr View
Farmington, NM 106.8 $855/mo $1,116/mo $23.62/hr View
Las Cruces, NM 98.8 $975/mo $1,073/mo $21.85/hr View
Albuquerque, NM 98.0 $1,112/mo $1,384/mo $21.68/hr View
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New Mexico Salary Directory

Explore BLS wage percentiles by occupation in New Mexico.

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New Mexico Cost of Living & Rents (2026) Overview

Comprehensive 2026 cost of living analysis for New Mexico. Compare HUD Fair Market Rents, living wages, state income tax impact, and metropolitan living costs. Official 2026 economic data for New Mexico compiled from Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS surveys, HUD Fair Market Rents, and statutory tax codes.

Quick answers
Is New Mexico an expensive state to live in?

Its metros average a cost-of-living index of 105.0 (U.S. = 100), from EPI family budgets. Average one-bedroom HUD Fair Market Rent across its metros is about $1,089 a month.

What is the living wage in New Mexico?

The average living wage for a single adult in New Mexico is approximately $23.21/hour, while a family with two adults and one child requires roughly $21.80/hour to cover basic necessities.