The Albuquerque metro is home to 918,567 people (up 0.9% over five years), with a median household income of $67,995. Typical rent of $1,490/month works out to 26.3% of the median household income — near the 30% affordability threshold (Census ACS + Zillow, September 2026).
The share of Albuquerque's workforce by sector — the base of tenant demand:
| Sector | % of workforce |
|---|---|
| Education & health care | 26.0% |
| Professional & management | 14.9% |
| Retail trade | 10.4% |
| Arts, food & hospitality | 9.4% |
| Public administration | 7.1% |
Education & health care is the metro's largest employment base — sectors like education and health care are recession-resilient anchors for rental demand.
Rents at 26.3% of median income leave moderate headroom; underwrite rent growth conservatively. Market pricing, yields and the Star Score live on the Albuquerque market page; run a deal in the calculator.
At the 30%-of-income affordability rule, typical rent of $1,490/month suggests a household income around $60,000/year. The metro's median household income is $67,995.
By workforce share: Education & health care (26.0%), Professional & management (14.9%), Retail trade (10.4%) (Census ACS 5-year).