1st Advantage MortgageValencia County households have a median income of $58,933 and median rent of $1,015 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in New Mexico before sharing details.
On this page
- Valencia County, NM: the basics
- What it costs to live in Valencia County
- What Valencia County households earn
- Employment and commuting in Valencia County
- Places inside Valencia County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Who lives in Valencia County, in numbers
- Local borrowing considerations for Valencia County
- Budget math at the Valencia County median
- A Valencia County borrower's checklist
- Licensing and complaints for Valencia County
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Valencia County, NM: the basics
With an estimated 78,458 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Valencia County ranks 6th of 33 in New Mexico for population. Land area is 1,067 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 74 per square mile. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Albuquerque, NM metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. Los Lunas is the biggest of its 21 Census places, at roughly 18,618 people (24% of the county total).
What it costs to live in Valencia County
Renters in Valencia County pay a median of $1,015 a month, 5% below the New Mexico figure of $1,067. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 56% of renter households here. With a median value of $223,000, a typical Valencia County house costs 3.8 times what the median household earns in a year. 83% of Valencia County households own their home and 17% rent.
| Valencia County | New Mexico | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,015/mo | $1,067/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $223,000 | $248,100 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 83% | 70% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 56% | 50% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 35% | 29% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 30.2% | 15.5% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Valencia County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it. High rent burdens leave little slack. If you are borrowing to consolidate, make sure the new payment is lower than the ones it replaces.
What Valencia County households earn
Half of Valencia County households take in less than $58,933 a year and half take in more, 8% below the New Mexico median of $64,059. Only 7 New Mexico counties post a higher median.
| Income band | Share in Valencia County | Difference from New Mexico |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 28.1% | -0.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.7% | +4.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 22.2% | -0.9 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.1% | -2.7 pts |
About 28% of households earn under $35,000, while 27% clear $100,000. Census counts 18.1% of Valencia County residents in poverty, against 17.8% across New Mexico. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.456 here. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Valencia County median.
Employment and commuting in Valencia County
Education and health care employs 24% of working residents, the largest share; retail trade is next with 11%. Compared with New Mexico, the county leans toward construction (10% against 8%). The survey's unemployment rate for Valencia County averages 7.0% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 6.0%). About 75% drive to work alone and 24% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Only 3.0% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Where residents work | Valencia County | Difference from New Mexico |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.9% | -1.8 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.8% | +0.1 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 10.6% | -2.3 pts |
| Construction | 10.3% | +2.7 pts |
| Public administration | 9.1% | +1.7 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.4% | -1.6 pts |
Where long drives are the norm, a car repair is one of the most common surprise bills. A small repair fund can keep a breakdown from turning into a loan.
Places inside Valencia County
21 Census places fall mainly inside Valencia County; the 14 biggest are below. They account for 67,420 residents, leaving about 14% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Incomes vary by place: $110,391 at the median in Adelino, $28,162 in Monterey Park. Rent is cheapest in Jarales ($623) and steepest in Tome ($1,385). None of the 21 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Lunas | village | 18,618 | $62,330 | $1,110 | 6 mi |
| Belen | city | 7,450 | $42,627 | $916 | 3 mi |
| El Cerro Mission | CDP | 5,323 | $49,470 | n/a | 10 mi |
| Rio Communities | city | 4,925 | $46,035 | $1,055 | 7 mi |
| Los Chaves | CDP | 4,838 | $79,662 | $833 | 3 mi |
| Meadow Lake | CDP | 4,259 | $43,649 | $908 | 15 mi |
| Bosque Farms | village | 4,071 | $82,188 | $897 | 11 mi |
| Peralta | town | 3,404 | $73,131 | $1,246 | 10 mi |
| El Cerro | CDP | 2,923 | $106,136 | $723 | 8 mi |
| Valencia | CDP | 2,406 | $55,170 | $668 | 9 mi |
| Jarales | CDP | 2,144 | $55,676 | $623 | 7 mi |
| Tome | CDP | 1,723 | $85,448 | $1,385 | 5 mi |
| Las Maravillas | CDP | 1,594 | $63,375 | n/a | 8 mi |
| Adelino | CDP | 686 | $110,391 | n/a | 4 mi |
Neighboring counties at a glance
Bernalillo County is closest, 25 miles from center to center; the sixth, Santa Fe County, is 73 miles off. 3 of the six report a higher median household income than Valencia County; Sandoval County is highest at $86,636 and Socorro County lowest at $36,570.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valencia County | - | $58,933 | $1,015/mo | 83% |
| Bernalillo County, NM | 25 mi | $69,473 | $1,144/mo | 65% |
| Socorro County, NM | 51 mi | $36,570 | $691/mo | 75% |
| Torrance County, NM | 53 mi | $57,842 | $872/mo | 82% |
| Sandoval County, NM | 67 mi | $86,636 | $1,427/mo | 84% |
| Cibola County, NM | 69 mi | $50,759 | $759/mo | 76% |
| Santa Fe County, NM | 73 mi | $79,071 | $1,389/mo | 72% |
Who lives in Valencia County, in numbers
Degree holders: 21% of adults over 25. 8.3% of residents have no health coverage.
| People and households | Valencia County | New Mexico | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.4 | 39.4 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 20.9% | 31.0% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 13.9% | 12.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 8.3% | 9.6% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.0% | 5.6% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 11.1% | 12.2% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 18.1% | 17.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 7.0% | 6.0% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Valencia County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 25.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 24.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 26.3% |
| 45 to 59 min | 14.8% |
| 60+ min | 9.1% |
Local borrowing considerations for Valencia County
What the Valencia County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Long drives. With 24% of commutes over 45 minutes, tires and repairs are fixed costs in many Valencia County budgets.
- Mobile home upkeep. 30% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- Free help first. 18% of residents live below the poverty line; utility, rent and food programs cost nothing to repay (free options).
- Tight rental budgets. With 56% of Valencia County renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
Budget math at the Valencia County median
Here is the Valencia County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Monthly gross at the median, Valencia County: $4,911
- Rent at the median, $1,015, takes 21% of that
- Under a 43% cap, $2,112 total minus rent leaves $1,097
Two-income households and single earners in Valencia County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
A Valencia County borrower's checklist
Quick steps for Valencia County:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in New Mexico.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Licensing and complaints for Valencia County
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Valencia County, check the New Mexico Financial Institutions Division. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. More on New Mexico: New Mexico personal loans.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the New Mexico guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Valencia County a high-income county?
Its $58,933 median ranks 8th of 32 New Mexico counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How much is rent in Valencia County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $1,015 a month; 56% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
I own my home in Valencia County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 83% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
Does this page cover Los Lunas?
Yes, along with the other 20 Census places in Valencia County, such as Belen, El Cerro Mission, Rio Communities.
Can Valencia County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every New Mexico county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.