Smart Movers Club

    Moving to South Valley, NM

    Is South Valley a good place to live?

    Watch South Valley

    South Valley ranks #11 of 11 New Mexico cities with 25,000+ people on the Smart Movers livability score (20/100), which weighs home affordability, unemployment, education and population growth. Population fell 2.6% in the latest Census year.

    Median home value
    $205,200
    +11.3% vs prior year
    Median rent
    $942
    per month
    Household income
    $51,062
    median
    Unemployment
    5.5%
    lower is better

    Cost of living in South Valley

    The median home value in South Valley is $205,200 and median rent is $942 a month, against a median household income of $51,062. Homes cost about 4.0× a year of income (under 3× is considered affordable).

    South Valley crime rate

    City-level FBI figures vary by agency; across New Mexico the 2025 rate was 648 violent and 2,351 property crimes per 100,000 people — #1 highest of 50 states. The full report breaks down local trends.

    Moving to South Valley, NM

    South Valley has about 36,605 residents, 5.5% unemployment and 9% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher.

    Compare South Valley with

    South Valley vs AlbuquerqueSouth Valley vs Las CrucesSouth Valley vs Rio RanchoSouth Valley vs Santa FeSouth Valley vs RoswellSouth Valley vs FarmingtonSouth Valley vs HobbsSouth Valley vs Clovis

    More: Where to move in New Mexico · Best counties in New Mexico

    Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year estimates (2023, compared with 2022); FBI Crime Data Explorer.

    Home listings, local news, migration, schools, resources and the Smart Movers Grade & Verdict.

    See the full Smart Movers Club report