New Mexico
Among the top 12% of US states for weather.
AffordabilityAffordability: grade B, better than 53% of US states
WeatherWeather: grade A, better than 88% of US states
Safety & WellbeingSafety & Wellbeing: grade D, better than 12% of US states
Getting AroundGetting Around: grade B, better than 59% of US states
Lifestyle & ConnectivityLifestyle & Connectivity: grade F, better than 10% of US states
- top 1% for sunny days
- top 12% for summer humidity
- bottom 4% for broadband access
New Mexico is a U.S. state with about 2,112,000 residents. It grades A for weather and F for lifestyle & connectivity. Standout strengths include sunny days, summer humidity, and monthly owner costs. It rates lower on property crime and broadband access.
Official websitenewmexico.gov (opens in new tab)
Livability factors
Affordability
Median Household Income$59k10th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Cost of Living$47kbetter than 74% of US states
Home Value$214k31st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Monthly Rent$971better than 73% of US states
Monthly Owner Costs$1kbetter than 80% of US states
Property Tax Rate0.78%better than 63% of US states
Income Tax5.89%better than 38% of US states
Sales Tax7.62%better than 32% of US states
Estimated total tax burden11.13%better than 38% of US states
Unemployment6.3%better than 14% of US states
Weather
Winter Temp (Jan)36°F61st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Summer Temp (Jul)76°F51st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Precipitation11.9 in4th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Snowfall12.8 inbetter than 57% of US states
Sunny Days305 daysbetter than 99% of US states
Summer Humidity48°Fbetter than 88% of US states
Comfortable Days46 daysbetter than 8% of US states
Safety & Wellbeing
Natural Disaster Risk84.2better than 39% of US states
Air Quality48 AQIbetter than 42% of US states
School Quality52.6better than 36% of US states
Violent Crime1904/100kbetter than 10% of US states
Property Crime2830/100kbetter than 8% of US states
Community
Population2,112,46329th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Median Age38.843rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Racial Diversity0.5686th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Male/Female Ratio0.9955th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Political LeaningEven33rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
White (%)35.6%6th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Black (%)1.8%18th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Hispanic (%)49.8%98th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Asian (%)1.5%20th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Other / Multiracial (%)11.3%92nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Getting Around
Commute Time23 minbetter than 73% of US states
Walkability8.8/20better than 53% of US states
Airport Distance64 mibetter than 43% of US states
Lifestyle & Connectivity
Broadband Access81.1%better than 4% of US states
Amenities Nearby3.26better than 43% of US states
Park & Nature AccessModeratebetter than 24% of US states
Frequently asked questions
- Is New Mexico an affordable place to live?
- New Mexico is relatively affordable. Its cost-of-living index is $47k, better than 74% of comparable areas.
- What is the median home value in New Mexico?
- The median home value in New Mexico is $214k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- What is the median household income in New Mexico?
- Median household income in New Mexico is $59k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- How much is rent in New Mexico?
- Median gross rent in New Mexico is $971 a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Is New Mexico safe?
- New Mexico is higher-crime than most comparable areas, with a violent crime rate of 1904/100k (better than 10%). Property crime is 2830/100k.
- What is the weather like in New Mexico?
- New Mexico averages 76°F in July and 36°F in January, with 11.9 in of annual precipitation and about 305 sunny days a year.
- How are the schools in New Mexico?
- Public-school quality in New Mexico is below average, scoring better than 36% of comparable areas on a composite of graduation rates, spending, and student-teacher ratio.
- How long is the commute in New Mexico?
- The average one-way commute in New Mexico is 23 min.
Best places to live in New Mexico
Top cities in New Mexico
Counties in New Mexico
Data sources
- EPA Air Quality (AQI)
- EPA Smart Location Database
- EPI Family Budget Calculator
- FAA airport enplanements
- FBI Uniform Crime Reports
- FEMA National Risk Index
- MIT Election Data Lab (2020)
- NCES School Finance Survey
- NOAA Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA nClimGrid
- OpenStreetMap
- Tax Foundation + state revenue depts
- U.S. Census ACS (5-Year)
- USGS Protected Areas (PAD-US)