New Mexico · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in McKinley County, NM

The median household in McKinley County, NM earns $47,668 a year ($3,972/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,090/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $43,600 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 7.8% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

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 Parity (RPP)92.2-7.8% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate15.1¢per kWh · EIA Residential NM
Census Population70,431Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in McKinley County, NM

Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.

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:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: McKinley County, NM

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for McKinley County, NM. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent Schedule for McKinley County, NM
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%

See dedicated rental breakdown for McKinley County, NM →

50/30/20 Living Budget in McKinley County, NM

Based on the local median household income of $47,668/year ($3,972/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$1,986/moRent ($1,090 2-BR), utilities (~$136/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,192/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 92.2 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$794/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

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.

$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

Compare earnings and living costs across New Mexico with official federal datasets:

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in McKinley County, NM

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?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in McKinley County, NM are $752 for a studio, $894 for 1 bedroom, $1,090 for 2 bedrooms, $1,307 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,443 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in McKinley County, NM compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in McKinley 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 McKinley County, NM?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,090/month) in McKinley County, NM requires a minimum gross household income of $43,600 per year ($3,633 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in McKinley County, NM?

For a typical household earning the median income of $47,668/year ($3,972/month) in McKinley County, NM, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $1,986/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,192/month to discretionary spending, and $794/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in McKinley 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.