salaryRent is lower than in 57% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.7 years of household income. Most homes (76.9%) are owned, so rentals can be hard to find.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $60,520 a year. That is $29 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other New Mexico cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of New Mexico. It is number 38 of 44 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Bernalillo?
Share of households by yearly income. 21.9% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Bernalillo
| Size | Bernalillo | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $610 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $405 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,353 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,127 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $901 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Bernalillo overall?
Everyday prices in New Mexico overall are 8% below the U.S. average (index 92.2, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Bernalillo, so the New Mexico figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Bernalillo
Life in Bernalillo
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Bernalillo?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $260 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $255,500 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $25,550 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Bernalillo, NM?
Renting in Bernalillo costs a median of about $1,513 a month in 2026, including utilities. The New Mexico median is $1,181.
How much do I need to make to live in Bernalillo?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $60,520 a year, or $29 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Bernalillo cheap or expensive?
Bernalillo is rated OK: rent takes 26.4% of the typical household income of $68,895. It ranks 38th cheapest of 44 New Mexico cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Bernalillo?
The median homeowner in Bernalillo pays $1,514 a year in property taxes, about 0.59% of the median home value.
Is Bernalillo more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in New Mexico are 8% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Bernalillo?
The median home value in Bernalillo is $255,500, about 3.7 times the typical yearly household income.
9,086 people live in Bernalillo. Numbers are typical (middle) values.