salaryRent is higher than in 58% of U.S. cities. Household incomes are higher than in 90% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.3 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 12.4 minutes. It is a highly educated city: 69.8% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $72,440 a year. That is $35 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 41 of 44 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Los Alamos?
Share of households by yearly income. 55.5% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Los Alamos
| Size | Los Alamos | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $988 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,360 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,780 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,551 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,727 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Los Alamos 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 Los Alamos, so the New Mexico figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Los Alamos
Life in Los Alamos
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Los Alamos?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,671 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $501,800 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $50,180 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Los Alamos, NM?
Renting in Los Alamos costs a median of about $1,811 a month in 2026, including utilities. The New Mexico median is $1,181.
How much do I need to make to live in Los Alamos?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $72,440 a year, or $35 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Los Alamos cheap or expensive?
Los Alamos is rated Cheap: rent takes 14.3% of the typical household income of $152,088. It ranks 41st cheapest of 44 New Mexico cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Los Alamos?
The median homeowner in Los Alamos pays $2,749 a year in property taxes, about 0.55% of the median home value.
Is Los Alamos 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 Los Alamos?
The median home value in Los Alamos is $501,800, about 3.3 times the typical yearly household income.
13,317 people live in Los Alamos. Numbers are typical (middle) values.