Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$68,015$5,668 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Lea County, NM
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Lea County, NM
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Lea County, NM. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.
| Unit Size | Monthly Rent | Annual Rent | 30% Rule Min. Income | % of Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Efficiency | $1,062 | $12,744 | $42,480 | 18.7% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $1,068 | $12,816 | $42,720 | 18.8% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $1,324 | $15,888 | $52,960 | 23.4% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,641 | $19,692 | $65,640 | 29% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $1,829 | $21,948 | $73,160 | 32.3% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Lea County, NM
Based on the local median household income of $68,015/year ($5,668/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:
Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in New Mexico
Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and New Mexico state income tax based on the local median baseline.
Related Regional & Financial Profiles
Compare earnings and living costs across New Mexico with official federal datasets:
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Lea County, NM
What is the median household income in Lea County, NM?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Lea County, NM is $68,015 per year (approximately $5,668 per month).
What is the average rent in Lea County, NM?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Lea County, NM are $1,062 for a studio, $1,068 for 1 bedroom, $1,324 for 2 bedrooms, $1,641 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,829 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Lea County, NM compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Lea County, NM is 92.2 (7.8% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Lea County, NM?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,324/month) in Lea County, NM requires a minimum gross household income of $52,960 per year ($4,413 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Lea County, NM?
For a typical household earning the median income of $68,015/year ($5,668/month) in Lea County, NM, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,834/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,700/month to discretionary spending, and $1,134/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Lea County, NM?
Residential electricity rates in New Mexico average 15.1¢ per kWh according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). For an average home using 900 kWh per month, the estimated electric bill is approximately $136 per month.