New Mexico has so many wonderful locations to reside that you could practically toss a dart at the state and live happily ever after. Prominent individuals such as Julia Roberts, Gene Hackman, and George R.R. Martin, the author of Game of Thrones, wouldn’t just reside anywhere. There are many wonderful spots to call home in this Southwestern state. And fortunately for you, we are here to find out the best places to live in New Mexico.
They adore the wonderful people of New Mexico and the rustic lifestyle of the desert. Two million people call it home for a reason. Beyond extraterrestrials, breathtaking sunsets, and the Animas River, New Mexico offers much more.
We examined the elements of quality of life that you would normally connect with excellent areas to live, such as affordable housing, secure neighborhoods, and top-notch schools.
The Best Places To Live In New Mexico
What’s the best place to live in New Mexico? Corrales is the best spot in New Mexico to live. New Mexico has fantastic places to reside, whether your interests are in UFOs, the University of New Mexico Lobos, or attending a rodeo in Ruidoso.
To find out more about the other locations that reached the best places to live in New Mexico, we encourage you to grab a green chilli cheeseburger and continue reading. For a comprehensive list, scroll to the bottom if you’re still trying to find your favorite spot in New Mexico.
Corrales
Welcome to Corrales one of the best places to live in New Mexico. Corrales is surrounded by the large towns of Rio Rancho and Albuquerque, yet it has made a concerted effort to maintain its rural identity. Agriculture continues to play a significant role in Corrales’s economy and culture, as seen by the town’s Grower’s Market and several wineries.
In addition, there are several events held all year long, and the regular performances held at the Old San Ysidro Church are quite popular with the community.
The first thing you should know about your Corrales neighbors is that they are among the best educated in the state; over 60% have a college degree and 30% have a master’s degree or above.
With a typical family income of $93,899 annually, Corrales boasts the highest-paid population in New Mexico, so those fancy degrees come in useful when payday arrives. Furthermore, Corrales has the lowest statewide poverty rate (2.9%).
Corrales has the lowest crime rate in New Mexico, 80% less than the state average, which makes sense for wealthy, shrewd people who don’t tend to commit crimes. The drawback? The cost of housing is twice as high as the state average, with the average home selling for $440,100 and the monthly rent being $1,154.
Rio Rancho
Rio Rancho, the third-largest city in New Mexico, stands out as one of the best places to live in New Mexico. Rio Rancho’s economy has been booming recently; it is home to businesses like Walmart and Hewlett-Packard as well as an Intel factory, which is by far the area’s largest employment.
A Park Above is a fun place for families that has been recognized by several New Mexico newspapers as the greatest city park. Even though there isn’t much vegetation in New Mexico generally, if you rode or walked the Willow Creek Trail, you wouldn’t know it.
Since 2010, Rio Rancho’s population has increased by almost 15%. Nonetheless, crime has been low, ranking seventh in New Mexico. At 7.1%, Rio Rancho’s poverty rate is the third lowest in the state. The typical rent in Rio Rancho is $1,181/month, which is 33% more than the statewide norm.
Rio Rancho inhabitants, however, don’t worry too much about expenses because they have the 4th highest median household income in the state, at $70,615 annually.
Los Ranchos De Albuquerque
Los Ranchos de Albuquerque stands out as one of the best places to live in New Mexico due to its unique blend of agricultural focus, cultural heritage, and vibrant community life.
Wineries, pottery, and antique shops give you lots of activities to choose from as you contribute to preserving Los Ranchos’ rich cultural heritage. But none is more well-publicized than the annual Lavender Festival.
In Los Ranchos, about thirty per cent of people possess a master’s degree or above, so if you don’t want to let your team down on pub quiz night, get studying.
At 1.3%, Los Ranchos has the second-lowest unemployment rate in the state, and the town has the tenth-highest percentage of citizens having health insurance in New Mexico.
Although the state’s most costly property is a home, the median monthly rent of $909 is less than the statewide median. In any event, with a median family income of $64,304 annually, Los Ranchos has the sixth-highest income in New Mexico, so you shouldn’t have too much problem making ends meet.
Artesia
Artesia, which is located between Carlsbad and Roswell to the south and north, is ranked as the fourth-best place to live in New Mexico. For someone who values the little things in life, Artesia is the perfect place to live because of its small-town atmosphere, which is devoid of traffic and pollution.
Along with all the conveniences you want, Main Street also features colorful murals and street sculptures to maintain an appealing look.
With a typical age of 32, Artesia is the youngest city on this list, so keep that in mind if you’re searching for a dynamic community with innovative ideas. In terms of safety, Artesia has the fifth-lowest rate of violent crime in the state of New Mexico.
Over the past decade, Artesia has seen remarkable growth of over 10%, solidifying its reputation as one of the best places to live in New Mexico.
Moreover, with property values rising by 4% in the last year and considerably lower property taxes compared to most locations on this list, Artesia continues to attract attention for its allure as a top residential destination in the state.
Edgewood
Edgewood is a community of 6,106 people located around 30 minutes east of Albuquerque. The population of Edgewood, a very well-liked bedroom town, has increased dramatically by almost 65% since 2010, making it the fastest-growing city in New Mexico.
The historic indoor Church Street Market, renowned for its array of one-of-a-kind, locally manufactured goods, remains a cherished attraction in one of the best places to live in New Mexico.
Additionally, for animal enthusiasts seeking an up-close encounter with the incredible wildlife of the Southwest, a visit to Wildlife West Nature Park is an absolute must.
In terms of necessities, Edgewood has some of the highest percentages of poverty, unemployment, crime, and health insurance in the whole state. Edgewood’s public schools received an 8 out of 10 rating from GreatSchools, so families with kids may feel comfortable relocating here.
Don’t let the high cost of homes deter you from making the wise investment they are—increased demand has driven up property values by more than 10% in the past year.
Raton
Raton, the county seat of northern New Mexico’s Colfax County, stands out as one of the best places to live in New Mexico. Raton has been identified as one of the safest locations in New Mexico, as it has the second-lowest rate of total crime in the state.
Furthermore, the median price of a property in Raton is $100,000, although the typical family income is $34,233. Raton is among the cheapest communities in New Mexico because of this combination of data, which places it as the 14th best house price to income ratio in the state.
Furthermore, Raton’s total cost of living score is around 80, compared to the national average of 100.
For a community of only 6,082, Raton has a lot to offer in terms of entertainment. For those who enjoy the great outdoors, Sugarite Canyon State Park, the Shuler Theater, and a plethora of small businesses downtown contribute to a bustling local economy.
In terms of the economy, Raton has the lowest unemployment rate in New Mexico along with the fifth highest percentage of citizens with health insurance. Raton also has the fourth-shortest average commute time in New Mexico, at only 13 minutes, so residents don’t have to worry about traffic every day.
Socorro
Socorro, nestled in Socorro County, stands out as the seventh-best among the best places to live in New Mexico. Socorro provides its citizens with an excellent standard of living and is well-known for its inexpensive cost of living and reasonable median property price.
Despite having a large population of 8,553, Socorro maintains a sense of a close-knit community while providing a wealth of facilities and activities.
The wealth of outdoor activities and the surrounding area’s natural beauty are two of Socorro’s best features. At a height of 4,579 feet, the Rio Grande Valley offers inhabitants beautiful vistas and access to neighbouring hiking routes like the Jornada del Muerto.
Furthermore, Socorro can easily access bigger cities for business or leisure due to its proximity to Albuquerque (74 miles) and Las Cruces (146 miles).
Santa Fe
The highest capital city in the United States is Santa Fe, which is located at 7,000 feet in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. The low humidity and around 300 sunny days a year make it difficult for the locals to imagine living anyplace else.
Santa Fe, sometimes referred to as “The City Different” is all about being amazing and doesn’t care about fitting in. Santa Fe is a destination of never-ending discovery with its vibrant arts scene, excellent food influenced by a wide range of cultures, and an abundance of history and culture.
In terms of numbers, it’s significant to remember that Santa Fe is among the priciest cities in New Mexico, with a cost of living that is around 10% greater than the state average and housing that is roughly 50% higher.
Despite this, a large number of people have continued to visit the city, since its population has increased by around 25% since 2010. People will pay a high price for secure streets, excellent schools, low rates of unemployment and poverty, and the opportunity to see George R.R. Martin and inquire about the release date of his upcoming Game of Thrones book.
Albuquerque
Albuquerque, the largest and most densely inhabited city in New Mexico, ranks as the ninth-best location to live in the state. Albuquerque is renowned for its world-class food, vibrant arts scene, and diversity of cultures.
Not only is Albuquerque the global hot air ballooning capital, but adventurers need not stop there. They can also take to Sandia Peak’s slopes. More laid-back people will love the golf courses in Albuquerque.
With a median age of 37, Albuquerque is a youthful city. 37% of individuals here have a high level of education, so if you want to compete, review your trivia before a pub quiz night. Albuquerque boasts excellent schools as well, ranking seventh in New Mexico for the lowest high school dropout rate.
At $214,600 on average, homes in Albuquerque rank fifth most expensive in the state. However, the typical household income in the area remains constant, with an annual income of about $56,366.
Alamogordo
Alamogordo, the tenth best place to live in New Mexico, is situated in the high desert near the foot of the Sacramento Mountains. It’s easy to understand why Alamogordo was listed as one of the top destinations in New Mexico for singles.
Some suggestions for dates are the Heart of the Desert for wine lovers and pistachio poppers, the Alameda Park Zoo for animal lovers, the New Mexico Museum of Space History for science buffs, and the White Sands National Park for anybody with an eye for stunning scenery.
Alamogordo has unemployment and poverty rates that are in the top 10 in the state. Living expenses are minimal, with housing costs being 25% less than the state average. In actuality, Alamogordo has the lowest median property price on this list, at $126,700. Bonus: At eighteen minutes, Alamogordo’s typical commute is the 15th shortest in New Mexico.
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Conclusion
To sum up, the best places to live in New Mexico present a variety of chances and experiences. The state offers an ideal setting for professional development and academic progress because of its booming industry, varied economy, and well-regarded educational system.
Despite having a slightly higher unemployment rate than the national average, New Mexico’s job market is expanding positively, and the state is expected to see considerable job growth in the years to come.
In addition, New Mexico is a desirable destination to live in because of its dynamic communities, stunning scenery, and rich cultural legacy.
People may move to the Land of Enchantment successfully and happily by taking into account elements like the cost of living and housing alternatives, as well as by taking care of important duties like altering addresses and getting licenses.