Albuquerque Multifamily Report – April 2024
The metro remained largely healthy.
Albuquerque multifamily fundamentals were a mixed bag in 2023, but overall, the market remained healthy. Rents contracted under the pressure of robust supply, down 0.4 percent on a trailing three-month basis through February, to $1,317, while the national rate ticked down 0.1 percent, to $1,713. Still, occupancy endured, down just 30 basis points in the 12 months ending in February, to 94.9 percent.
Employment expanded by 2.4 percent last year, or 16,200 jobs, 40 basis points ahead of the U.S. rate. Since May 2023, the pace of job growth has been steadily improving. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate closed 2023 at 3.5 percent, following a year of fluctuation between 2.8 percent and 4.6 percent. The December figure placed the metro ahead of the U.S. (3.7 percent) and the state (4.0 percent). Last year, three sectors lost a combined 1,600 jobs: professional and business services, information and financial activities. Construction (4,100 jobs), government (3,900 jobs) and education and health services (3,400 jobs) led growth. Manufacturing also recorded solid advancements, and signs point to further growth. One such indicator is Maxeon Solar Technologies’ plan for a $1 billion investment in solar panel production.
This year through February, 240 units came online and another 3,892 were under construction. Following last year’s decade-high delivery volume, construction starts softened. Meanwhile, transactions remained subdued, with just one property trading so far in 2024.
