salaryRoswell is the 5th-largest city in New Mexico that we track, with 47,638 residents. Rent is lower than in 89% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Commutes are short, about 18.2 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $38,840 a year. That is $19 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other New Mexico cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of New Mexico. It is number 14 of 44 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Roswell?
Share of households by yearly income. 16.4% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Roswell
| Size | Roswell | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $741 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $689 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $913 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,215 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,320 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Roswell 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 Roswell, so the New Mexico figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Roswell
Life in Roswell
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Roswell?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $88 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $152,600 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $15,260 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Roswell, NM?
Renting in Roswell costs a median of about $971 a month in 2026, including utilities. The New Mexico median is $1,181.
How much do I need to make to live in Roswell?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $38,840 a year, or $19 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Roswell cheap or expensive?
Roswell is rated OK: rent takes 20.9% of the typical household income of $55,632. It ranks 14th cheapest of 44 New Mexico cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Roswell?
The median homeowner in Roswell pays $995 a year in property taxes, about 0.65% of the median home value.
Is Roswell 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 Roswell?
The median home value in Roswell is $152,600, about 2.7 times the typical yearly household income.
47,638 people live in Roswell. Numbers are typical (middle) values.