New Mexico moving guide

Where should I move in New Mexico?

We ranked 12 New Mexico cities with 20,000+ residents on home affordability (income vs. home value), unemployment, education and population growth. Here are the top 12.

1. 1

   Rio Rancho

   Home $273,300 · Rent $1,481 · Income $85,755 · Unemployment 4.8%
   80/100
2. 2

   Carlsbad

   Home $187,900 · Rent $1,206 · Income $78,277 · Unemployment 4.4%
   73/100
3. 3

   Santa Fe

   Home $411,500 · Rent $1,380 · Income $70,110 · Unemployment 5.1%
   66/100
4. 4

   Albuquerque

   Home $266,700 · Rent $1,085 · Income $65,604 · Unemployment 5.3%
   55/100
5. 5

   Alamogordo

   Home $163,600 · Rent $886 · Income $52,515 · Unemployment 7.1%
   50/100
6. 6

   Gallup

   Home $134,600 · Rent $858 · Income $57,466 · Unemployment 6.0%
   50/100
7. 7

   Las Cruces

   Home $217,400 · Rent $946 · Income $55,176 · Unemployment 7.4%
   50/100
8. 8

   Hobbs

   Home $180,700 · Rent $1,132 · Income $65,691 · Unemployment 6.6%
   48/100
9. 9

   Roswell

   Home $139,200 · Rent $840 · Income $50,294 · Unemployment 5.9%
   41/100
10. 10

    Farmington

    Home $225,400 · Rent $993 · Income $63,745 · Unemployment 5.7%
    39/100
11. 11

    Clovis

    Home $160,000 · Rent $947 · Income $54,029 · Unemployment 7.9%
    30/100
12. 12

    South Valley

    Home $205,200 · Rent $942 · Income $51,062 · Unemployment 5.5%
    20/100

Statewide, New Mexico recorded 2,999 crimes per 100,000 people in 2025 — #1 highest of 50 states (FBI).

Also see: Best counties in New Mexico to live

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