Renting · Section 8
Data from November 2026
Renting in McKinley County, New Mexico
McKinley County has a HUD fair market rent of $1,140 a month for 2 bedrooms (Fiscal year 2027). Renter households here pay a typical rent of $859 a month (Average 2020–2024). Paying the fair market rent without going over 30% of income takes $21.92 an hour, full time.
Four numbers to start with
- Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
- $1,140
- a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
- 11% less than in New Mexico
- Typical rent
- $859
- a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
- 19% less than in New Mexico
- Wage needed
- $21.92
- an hour, 2 bedrooms
- Or $45,600 a year, to spend no more than 30% of income on rent.
- Rent-burdened households
- 44%
- spend 30% or more of income on rent
- 13% less than in New Mexico
Only here
Renting in McKinley County: what sets it apart
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
-
31% of households in McKinley County have no internet at home, against 10% in New Mexico.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
Fair market rent
What HUD sets for each size
Every year HUD (the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) publishes a Fair Market Rent (FMR) for each home size in McKinley County. It is used to work out how much a Section 8 voucher covers. The table shows what you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income.
The fair market rent covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone. HUD generally sets it at the 40th percentile: 4 in 10 standard-quality homes rented recently cost less. 24 CFR §888.113(a)
| Size | Fair rent per month | Hourly wage | Income needed per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $794 | $15.27 | $31,760 |
| 1 bedroom | $911 | $17.52 | $36,440 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,140 | $21.92 | $45,600 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,358 | $26.12 | $54,320 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,498 | $28.81 | $59,920 |
HUD area: McKinley County, NM. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
The fair market rent for your ZIP code
HUD also publishes fair market rents by ZIP code (Small Area FMRs) for 25 ZIP codes in McKinley County (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,010 in 87313 to $1,480 in 87375. 7 ZIP codes are above the county's fair market rent ($1,140).
Where HUD designates these areas, or where the housing agency chooses to use them, the voucher is figured on the ZIP code's rent instead of the county's. Ask your agency which one it uses. 24 CFR §982.503(a)(1)
| 86515 | Apache County, AZ | $730 | $820 | $1,060 | $1,440 | $1,650 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 86515 | McKinley County, NM | $730 | $820 | $1,060 | $1,440 | $1,650 |
| 87045 | Cibola County, NM | $720 | $830 | $1,040 | $1,240 | $1,370 |
| 87045 | McKinley County, NM | $720 | $830 | $1,040 | $1,240 | $1,370 |
| 87301 | McKinley County, NM | $820 | $940 | $1,180 | $1,410 | $1,550 |
| 87305 | McKinley County, NM | $790 | $910 | $1,140 | $1,360 | $1,500 |
| 87310 | McKinley County, NM | $780 | $900 | $1,100 | $1,340 | $1,470 |
| 87311 | McKinley County, NM | $820 | $940 | $1,180 | $1,410 | $1,550 |
| 87312 | McKinley County, NM | $770 | $870 | $1,070 | $1,280 | $1,410 |
| 87313 | Farmington, NM | $800 | $810 | $1,010 | $1,360 | $1,470 |
| 87313 | McKinley County, NM | $800 | $810 | $1,010 | $1,360 | $1,470 |
| 87316 | McKinley County, NM | $980 | $1,130 | $1,410 | $1,680 | $1,850 |
| 87317 | McKinley County, NM | $890 | $1,050 | $1,270 | $1,530 | $1,690 |
| 87319 | McKinley County, NM | $790 | $910 | $1,140 | $1,360 | $1,520 |
| 87320 | McKinley County, NM | $790 | $900 | $1,130 | $1,350 | $1,490 |
| 87322 | McKinley County, NM | $850 | $970 | $1,220 | $1,450 | $1,600 |
| 87323 | Cibola County, NM | $730 | $840 | $1,020 | $1,240 | $1,350 |
| 87323 | McKinley County, NM | $730 | $840 | $1,020 | $1,240 | $1,350 |
| 87325 | Farmington, NM | $800 | $860 | $1,090 | $1,360 | $1,490 |
| 87325 | McKinley County, NM | $800 | $860 | $1,090 | $1,360 | $1,490 |
| 87326 | McKinley County, NM | $790 | $910 | $1,140 | $1,360 | $1,500 |
| 87327 | McKinley County, NM | $710 | $810 | $1,010 | $1,210 | $1,340 |
| 87347 | McKinley County, NM | $1,050 | $1,180 | $1,460 | $1,740 | $1,920 |
| 87365 | McKinley County, NM | $730 | $840 | $1,020 | $1,240 | $1,350 |
| 87375 | McKinley County, NM | $1,020 | $1,210 | $1,480 | $1,780 | $1,960 |
- 86515 · Apache County, AZ $1,060$1,440
- 86515 · McKinley County, NM $1,060$1,440
- 87045 · Cibola County, NM $1,040$1,240
- 87045 · McKinley County, NM $1,040$1,240
- 87301 · McKinley County, NM $1,180$1,410
- 87305 · McKinley County, NM $1,140$1,360
- 87310 · McKinley County, NM $1,100$1,340
- 87311 · McKinley County, NM $1,180$1,410
- 87312 · McKinley County, NM $1,070$1,280
- 87313 · Farmington, NM $1,010$1,360
- 87313 · McKinley County, NM $1,010$1,360
- 87316 · McKinley County, NM $1,410$1,680
- 87317 · McKinley County, NM $1,270$1,530
- 87319 · McKinley County, NM $1,140$1,360
- 87320 · McKinley County, NM $1,130$1,350
- 87322 · McKinley County, NM $1,220$1,450
- 87323 · Cibola County, NM $1,020$1,240
- 87323 · McKinley County, NM $1,020$1,240
- 87325 · Farmington, NM $1,090$1,360
- 87325 · McKinley County, NM $1,090$1,360
- 87326 · McKinley County, NM $1,140$1,360
- 87327 · McKinley County, NM $1,010$1,210
- 87347 · McKinley County, NM $1,460$1,740
- 87365 · McKinley County, NM $1,020$1,240
- 87375 · McKinley County, NM $1,480$1,780
Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)
Rent burden
How many households spend too much
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In McKinley County, 44% of renter households are in that position; in New Mexico, 50%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).
Paying too much rent leaves little for food, transportation and savings. If that is you, the agencies below can guide you for free.
44%
of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on rent.
6,453 households rent in McKinley County
- Spend half or more of their income 20%
- Spend 30% or more, but less than half 24%
- Spend less than 30% 56%
Compared with the state and the country
- McKinley 44%
- New Mexico 50%
- United States 51%
Low-income apartments
Low-income apartments in McKinley County
HUD lists 22 properties with homes for low-income households in McKinley County: tax-credit apartments (LIHTC), HUD-assisted buildings and public housing. They run from the most low-income homes to the fewest.
- with tax credits (LIHTC)
- 13
- HUD-assisted
- 6
- public housing
- 3
1,097 homes in all; 1,032 of them low-income, according to HUD.
- Site A-3 Public housing 400A Arnold St, Gallup 87301 188 low-income homes · Run by Housing Authority of the City of Gallup · Average payment: $412 a month · Average wait: 11 months · Homes at several sites · (505) 722-4388
- Pinion Hills Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 2811 Dairy Dr, Gallup 87301 70 low-income homes
- Casamera Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 350 Basileo Dr, Gallup 87301 60 low-income homes
- Red Lake Acres HUD-assisted 63 B Spruce Street, Navajo 87328 60 low-income homes · For families · (505) 777-2480
- Sunset Hills Apartments HUD-assisted 220 Rudy Dr, Gallup 87301 60 low-income homes · For older adults · (505) 722-6908
- Villa de Gallup II Tax credit (LIHTC) 333 Klagetoh Dr, Gallup 87301 52 low-income homes · 2 bd: 28 · 3 bd: 24 · In service since 2000
- Villa Mentmore Tax credit (LIHTC) 3420 Sanostee Dr, Gallup 87301 52 low-income homes · 2 bd: 40 · 3 bd: 12 · In service since 2003
- Sagebrush Place HUD-assisted 650 Dani Dr, Gallup 87301 50 low-income homes · For families · (505) 722-7454
- Sagebrush Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 110 Rudy Dr, Gallup 87301 48 low-income homes
- Site E Public housing 500 Gomez Dr, Gallup 87301 46 low-income homes · Run by Housing Authority of the City of Gallup · Average payment: $766 a month · Average wait: 10 months · (505) 722-4388
- Cliffside Apts I Tax credit (LIHTC) 602 Dani Dr, Gallup 87301 44 low-income homes · In service since 1993
- Sage Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 110 Rudy Dr, Gallup 87301 44 homes, 43 low-income · In service since 2009
- Cedar Hills Apartments HUD-assisted 1710 Elm Cir, Gallup 87301 40 low-income homes · For families · (505) 863-3689
- Villa de Gallup I Tax credit (LIHTC) 325 Klagetoh Dr, Gallup 87301 40 low-income homes · 2 bd: 20 · 3 bd: 20 · In service since 2000
- Hidden Valley Apts (y15) Tax credit (LIHTC) 810 Patton Dr, Gallup 87301 40 homes, 39 low-income
- Cliffside Apts III Tax credit (LIHTC) 601 Dani Dr, Gallup 87301 31 homes, 30 low-income · 1 bd: 4 · 2 bd: 18 · 3 bd: 9 · In service since 2001
- Cliffside Apts II Tax credit (LIHTC) 621 Dani Dr, Gallup 87301 30 low-income homes · 2 bd: 20 · 3 bd: 10 · In service since 2000
- Chuska Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 2534 E Aztec Ave, Gallup 87301 29 low-income homes
- Site D-4 Public housing 1019 E Morgan Ave, Gallup 87301 29 low-income homes · Run by Housing Authority of the City of Gallup · Average payment: $359 a month · Average wait: 21 months · (505) 722-4388
- Crownpoint Group Home HUD-assisted 550 Bia Road, Crownpoint 87310 12 low-income homes · For people with disabilities · (505) 735-2014
- GALLUP GROUP HOME (202/8 Direct Loan/HAP) HUD-assisted 209 W Adams Ave, Gallup 87301 11 homes, 10 low-income · For people with disabilities · (505) 863-8940
- Sunset Hills Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 204 Rudy Dr, Gallup 87301 61 homes
Source: HUD, retrieved November 6, 2026. LIHTC database, updated May 14, 2025; Assisted multifamily properties, updated October 23, 2026; Public housing developments, updated October 23, 2026.
Section 8
The Section 8 voucher in McKinley County
The Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) pays part of your rent on a home you choose. Your public housing agency runs it. 1 agency serves in McKinley County. Here is what the rules say:
The rules, with their source
-
You apply at the public housing agency. If you qualify, your name usually goes on a waiting list. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or noncitizens with eligible status as HUD defines it. Source: HUD
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Generally, your family must have very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income, by family size (the middle column of the table). Source: 24 CFR §5.603, §982.201(b)
-
Each year, at least 75% of the families an agency admits from its list must have extremely low income (the 30% column). Source: 24 CFR §982.201(b)(2)
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If the rent is below the payment standard, the family generally pays 30% of its adjusted monthly income. If it is above, the family pays more. Source: 24 CFR §982.1(a)(3)
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When you move in, if the rent is above the payment standard, your share cannot go over 40% of your adjusted monthly income. Source: 24 CFR §982.508
-
Each agency sets a payment standard for each size. Without asking HUD, it can go from 90% to 110% of the fair market rent. Source: 24 CFR §982.503(b), (c)
| People | Extremely low (30%) | Very low (50%) | Low |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $15,960 | $25,550 | $40,850 |
| 2 people | $21,640 | $29,200 | $46,650 |
| 3 people | $27,320 | $32,850 | $52,500 |
| 4 people | $33,000 | $36,450 | $58,300 |
| 5 people | $38,680 | $39,400 | $63,000 |
| 6 people | $42,300 | $42,300 | $67,650 |
| 7 people | $45,200 | $45,200 | $72,300 |
| 8 people | $48,150 | $48,150 | $77,000 |
Area median income: $56,400. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: McKinley County, NM. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026
Possible payment standard
- Studio $715 – $873
- 1 bedroom $820 – $1,002
- 2 bedrooms $1,026 – $1,254
- 3 bedrooms $1,222 – $1,494
- 4 bedrooms $1,348 – $1,648
The range the rule allows: 90% to 110% of the county's fair market rent. Your agency publishes its own.
Housing agencies that serve this place
- Housing Authority of the City of Gallup Public housing and Section 8 vouchers · 64 vouchers · 263 public housing units (505) 722-4388 Housing Authority of the City of Gallup: Richard.Kontz@galluphousing.com
Housing agencies in New Mexico Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026
Your rights as a tenant in New Mexico
What New Mexico law says about deposits, notices and eviction, with the citation for each rule.
See your rights, rule by ruleCompare these rules with other states →
A summary of state law, not legal advice. Cities may have additional rules.
- If I fall behind on rent, what notice must I get?
- 3 days
- NMSA 1978, §47-8-33(D)
- How much notice ends a month-to-month rental?
- 30 days
- NMSA 1978, §47-8-37(A)-(B)
- Only a court order can remove youNMSA 1978, §47-8-36; §47-8-33
Help
Where to get help with rent in McKinley County
HUD lists no counseling agencies near in McKinley County. Free legal aid and your housing agency can guide you.
Tool
How much cash do you need to move in?
It starts with the 2-bedroom fair market rent in McKinley County. Change the rent, the deposit and the fees to yours: the numbers stay in your browser.
Count power on top of the rent: in New Mexico, the average home bill was $93 a month in 2024 (EIA). See electricity and gas costs
Your move
We use the place's fair market rent and the state's deposit rule.
Adjust advanced details
Let's do the math
Cash to move in
$2,280
What you need before you get the keys.
What adds up
- First month
- $1,140
- Security deposit
- $1,140
- Total
- $2,280
When you'll have it
Enter what you can set aside each month to see how long it takes.
What helps
- Ask for a receipt for every payment and keep a copy of the lease.
- On move-in day, walk through the home and take dated photos.
- Never send money for a home you haven't seen or a lease you haven't read.
This is a planning estimate, not a price. What you are asked for depends on the landlord, your lease and your state's and city's rules. It is not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fair market rent in McKinley County?
According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $794; 1 bedroom: $911; 2 bedrooms: $1,140; 3 bedrooms: $1,358; 4 bedrooms: $1,498. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.
How much do you need to earn to rent in McKinley County?
Paying the 2-bedroom fair market rent ($1,140) without spending more than 30% of income takes $21.92 an hour full time, or $45,600 a year.
Who qualifies for Section 8 in McKinley County?
Generally, families with very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. For 4 people, HUD's limit here is $36,450 a year (Fiscal year 2026). The family usually pays 30% of its adjusted monthly income. You apply at the housing agency.
How much does Section 8 pay in McKinley County?
The voucher pays up to your housing agency's payment standard, minus your share. The rule lets the agency set it between 90% and 110% of the fair market rent: for 2 bedrooms here, between $1,026 and $1,254 a month. Your agency publishes its figure.
Does the fair market rent change by ZIP code in McKinley County?
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,010 in 87313 to $1,480 in 87375. Where HUD designates these areas, or where the housing agency chooses to use them, the voucher is figured on the ZIP code's rent instead of the county's. Ask your agency which one it uses.
How many low-income apartments are there in McKinley County?
HUD lists 22 properties with homes for low-income households in McKinley County: tax-credit apartments (LIHTC), HUD-assisted buildings and public housing. They run from the most low-income homes to the fewest. For tax-credit apartments and HUD-assisted buildings, you apply directly at the building's management office. They tell you whether units are open and how to apply; HUD does not have that information.
How many households spend too much on rent in McKinley County?
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In McKinley County, 44% of renter households are in that position; in New Mexico, 50%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).