New Mexico · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in San Miguel County, NM

The median household in San Miguel County, NM earns $49,431 a year ($4,119/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,008/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $40,320 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 7.8% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$49,431$4,119 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,008HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)92.2-7.8% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate15.1¢per kWh · EIA Residential NM
Census Population26,850Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in San Miguel County, NM

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,008Monthly market rent
Share of gross income24.5%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$40,320To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,236At 30% of $49,431
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: San Miguel County, NM

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for San Miguel 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 San Miguel County, NM
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$783$9,396$31,32019%
1-Bedroom Apartment$920$11,040$36,80022.3%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,008$12,096$40,32024.5%
3-Bedroom Home$1,402$16,824$56,08034%
4-Bedroom Home$1,626$19,512$65,04039.5%

See dedicated rental breakdown for San Miguel County, NM →

50/30/20 Living Budget in San Miguel County, NM

Based on the local median household income of $49,431/year ($4,119/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,060/moRent ($1,008 2-BR), utilities (~$136/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,236/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 92.2 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$824/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.

$49,431
$15,000$100,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$49,431
Net 82%
Fed 8%
NM 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$40,724After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,394Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,566Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate17.6%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,752 / yr
New Mexico state income tax$1,174 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,781 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in San Miguel County, NM

What is the median household income in San Miguel County, NM?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in San Miguel County, NM is $49,431 per year (approximately $4,119 per month).

What is the average rent in San Miguel County, NM?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in San Miguel County, NM are $783 for a studio, $920 for 1 bedroom, $1,008 for 2 bedrooms, $1,402 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,626 for 4 bedrooms.

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

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

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,008/month) in San Miguel County, NM requires a minimum gross household income of $40,320 per year ($3,360 per month).

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

For a typical household earning the median income of $49,431/year ($4,119/month) in San Miguel County, NM, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,060/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,236/month to discretionary spending, and $824/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in San Miguel 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.