Cost of Living in Lee Acres, NM

Population 4,463 · New Mexico · Data vintage 2023

70
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Under 25,000 residents gives Lee Acres a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $182,000. A poverty rate near 27% adds context to the income figures — well above the US average, and worth factoring into any comparison with cities on the coasts or in the Rockies.

Geographically, Lee Acres lies roughly 125 miles northwest of the nearest major metro, Rio Rancho. Median home values run roughly 33% lower than Rio Rancho's $273,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 60
Rent 87

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Lee Acres

The median home value in Lee Acres is $182,200 — 40% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,137/month, 13% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $50,846/year is 32% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 10.8%, above the national average of 4.8%. New Mexico's top state income tax rate is 5.9% and the combined sales tax is 7.7%. The climate averages highs of 68.2°F and lows of 38.2°F. Overall, Lee Acres has a cost of living index of 70 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 30% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$182,200
40% below avg
Median Rent
$1,137/mo
13% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.4x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
0.8%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$678
1 BR
$790
2 BR
$933
3 BR
$1,307
4 BR
$1,549
Owner-occupied 79.4%
Renter-occupied 20.6%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,137
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,751/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
20.8 min
23% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
19.7%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
74.6%
Carpooled
4.3%
Walked
0.6%
Work from home
19.7%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 5.9%
Total Sales Tax 7.7%
State rate 5.0%
Avg local rate 2.7%
Property Tax 0.8%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$50,846
32% below avg
Per Capita Income
$27,173
Unemployment Rate
10.8%
124% above avg
Poverty Rate
26.8%
Labor Force Participation
49.1%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 12.6%
Graduate degree 4.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 38.4
Male median age 39.6
Female median age 37.7

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
68.2°F
Avg Low
38.2°F
Annual Precip
7.8"
10° 33° 55° 78° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 435060677789939082695543
Low °F 192430354453616051382719
Precip" 0.720.650.600.560.530.200.630.791.060.790.660.57

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 46 — Good
68.2%
Good air days/yr
117
Max AQI recorded
0
PM2.5 days
362
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Lee Acres, NM?

Lee Acres has a cost index of 70 (100 = national average). It is 30% below the national average.

What is average rent in Lee Acres, NM?

The median gross rent in Lee Acres is $1,137 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Lee Acres?

The median home value in Lee Acres is $182,200 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Lee Acres?

The median household income in Lee Acres is $50,846 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Lee Acres, NM?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Lee Acres is 7.7%. The New Mexico state income tax top rate is 5.9%.

Is Lee Acres, NM affordable?

Yes, Lee Acres is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 70 — about 30% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Lee Acres?

Lee Acres has average high temperatures of 68.2°F and average lows of 38.2°F. Annual precipitation is 7.8". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Lee Acres at a Glance

Population
4,463
Median Income
$50,846
Home Value
$182,200
Median Rent
$1,137/mo
Unemployment
10.8%
Avg High Temp
68.2°F
Sales Tax
7.7%
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🗺️ County data for New Mexico

Explore county-level cost of living data

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