Question 1

What is the cost of living in New Mexico?

Accepted Answer

New Mexico's overall price level (BEA Regional Price Parity) is 93.06, where 100 equals the U.S. average. That means everyday goods, services, and housing cost about 6.9% less than the national average. HUD's Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom is $1,119/month.

Question 2

What is the average salary in New Mexico?

Accepted Answer

Across the 100 BLS-tracked occupation categories with published data in New Mexico, the average median wage is $138,042. The single highest-paying occupation here is Emergency Medicine Physicians at $405,130/year (BLS OEWS).

Question 3

What are the highest-paying jobs in New Mexico?

Accepted Answer

Based on BLS OEWS data, the top-paying occupations in New Mexico are: 1) Emergency Medicine Physicians at $405,130; 2) Anesthesiologists at $393,970; 3) Surgeons, All Other at $363,940; 4) Physicians, All Other at $327,670; 5) Obstetricians and Gynecologists at $259,990. Click any occupation above to see the full wage breakdown (10th to 90th percentile).

Question 4

How much does it cost to rent a 2-bedroom apartment in New Mexico?

Accepted Answer

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Fair Market Rent (FMR) for a 2-bedroom unit in New Mexico is $1,119/month. FMR is the rent level HUD uses to administer housing assistance and reflects the 40th percentile of standard-quality rentals, updated annually.

Question 5

Where does AffordMap's New Mexico data come from?

Accepted Answer

Salary figures come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey. Cost of living comes from the Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities (RPP). Rent comes from HUD Fair Market Rents. All three are federal datasets, updated annually, and free to use. AffordMap pairs them so you can see what a salary actually buys after local costs.

Rank	Occupation	Category	Median salary	Hourly
61	Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary	Education	$111K	N/A
62	School Psychologists	Science	$110K	$53.06/hr
63	Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators	Legal	$110K	$52.97/hr
64	Atmospheric and Space Scientists	Science	$110K	$52.92/hr
65	Economics Teachers, Postsecondary	Education	$110K	N/A
66	Education Administrators, Postsecondary	Management	$109K	$52.64/hr
67	Computer Network Architects	Technology	$109K	$52.44/hr
68	Physics Teachers, Postsecondary	Education	$109K	N/A
69	Environmental Engineers	Engineering	$108K	$52.1/hr
70	Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary	Education	$108K	N/A

Top Paying Jobs in New Mexico

Highest paying careers in New Mexico

Affordability snapshot: New Mexico

Metro areas in New Mexico