ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Buying a home in Albuquerque has become increasingly expensive, with a new report revealing that prospective homeowners now need to earn over $100,000 annually to afford a property in the city.
According to a 2025 housing market analysis by ConsumerAffairs, the income required to purchase a typical home in Albuquerque is $115,234 per year. That figure stands in stark contrast to the city’s current median household income of $67,995 — nearly half the amount needed.
While Albuquerque remains more affordable than many places nationwide, the rising costs still put homeownership out of reach for many local residents. Nationally, the average income needed to afford a home is $124,817, slightly higher than Albuquerque’s threshold.
The report highlights the vast regional disparities in housing affordability. Nine of the ten most expensive markets are in California, including major cities like San Jose, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. Honolulu, Hawaii, rounds out the top 10, making the West Coast and Pacific region some of the hardest places to buy a home.
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Conversely, the most affordable cities to purchase a home are largely in the Midwest and South. Charleston and Huntington in West Virginia, Youngstown in Ohio, and Shreveport in Louisiana are among the metro areas where a modest income goes the furthest.
ConsumerAffairs based its findings on Zillow housing data from April 2025, focusing on 200 of the largest metropolitan areas in the U.S. Their calculations included all common homeownership expenses — such as mortgage payments, insurance, property taxes, and upkeep — and assumed a 10% down payment.
To determine income needs, the study applied the widely accepted 28/36 financial rule. This guideline advises that no more than 28% of a household’s gross income should go toward housing-related costs, helping gauge what’s realistically affordable.
With income needs continuing to rise, many Albuquerque residents may find themselves having to delay or rethink the dream of owning a home — even in a city once considered relatively affordable.
