Unaffordable

What Salary Do You Need to Live in Roy?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Roy, you need to earn at least $51,920/year based on estimated fair market rent data. The median household income here is $38,693, which means the typical resident is $13,227 below the threshold.

Census ACS Data Pop. 278

Salary Required by Bedroom Size

Bedroom	Monthly Rent	Monthly Income	Annual Salary	vs. Median
Studio	$909	$3,030	$36,360	$-2,333
1 Bedroom	$1,077	$3,590	$43,080	+$4,387
2 Bedroom BENCHMARK	$1,298	$4,327	$51,920	+$13,227
3 Bedroom	$1,584	$5,280	$63,360	+$24,667
4 Bedroom	$1,947	$6,490	$77,880	+$39,187

Affordability Breakdown

Where the required salary line crosses above Roy's median income — housing becomes unaffordable for the typical resident.

Required Salary Median Income

Income vs. Rent Snapshot

Median Income

$38,693

Annual household

2BR Required Salary

$51,920

Under 30% rule

Income Gap

-$13,227

Deficit

Verdict

Unaffordable

Ratio: 40.3%

The 30% Rule Calculator

Enter your annual salary to see what you can afford in Roy

Your Annual Salary

Pre-filled with Roy's median household income

Max monthly rent you can afford$967

Studio

$909/mo

1 BR

$1,077/mo

2 BR

$1,298/mo

3 BR

$1,584/mo

4 BR

$1,947/mo

Your salary is $0 above the median income in Roy.

Salary Comparison by Bedroom

Bars left of the marker line are affordable for Roy's median earner. Bars to the right require above-median income.

Affordable Above Median Median Income

What This Means If You're Moving to Roy

Renting in Roy is unaffordable for most median earners. The $13,227 income gap means a 2-bedroom at $1,298/month requires significant above-median earnings or a dual-income household to be sustainable.

For those committed to Roy, the realistic options are: (1) target a studio at $909/month, which requires $36,360/year — closer to the median; (2) find a roommate for a 2-bedroom, cutting individual costs to ~$649/month; or (3) negotiate remote work and live in a more affordable New Mexico city.

To live comfortably in Roy without financial strain, you realistically need a household income of $77,880 or higher. This isn't just about rent — it accounts for New Mexico's overall cost of living including transportation, food, and healthcare.

Economic Outlook

Local Job Market & Housing Dynamics

Affording rent isn't just about housing prices—it's heavily dependent on local employment opportunities and the strength of the job market in Roy, New Mexico.

With a total population of 278, the city supports an active civilian workforce of 147 people. A strong employment base often indicates a stable economy, which is crucial when committing to a lease requiring a $51,920 annual salary. The ratio of employed residents to the total population provides insight into the local economic health and competition for both jobs and housing.

Employed Workforce

147

Active civilian employees in Roy

Frequently Asked Questions About Renting in Roy

What salary do I need to live in Roy, New Mexico?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Roy under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of at least $51,920. The median household income in Roy is $38,693.

Can I afford a 2-bedroom in Roy on $38,693?

The affordability verdict for Roy is "Unaffordable". The rent-to-income ratio is 40.3%, meaning there's a $13,227 income gap.

What is the average rent in Roy compared to median income?

The median gross rent in Roy is $1,077/month. With a median household income of $38,693, residents spend approximately 40.3% of their income on rent.

What salary do I need for a studio in Roy?

A studio in Roy rents for approximately $909/month. Under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of $36,360 to afford this.

Is Roy considered an affordable place to live?

Based on the deficit of $13,227 and an affordability verdict of "Unaffordable", Roy is considered a unaffordable rental market when comparing the required 2-bedroom salary of $51,920 to the local median household income.

How Roy Compares

Other cities in New Mexico with salary requirements