Best places to live in New Mexico
What do you look for in an ideal town? Proximity to trails, lakes, and beaches? How about top-ranked schools for your children? Would you like a professional or college sports team nearby, or do you prefer museums and art walks?
Stacker compiled a list of the best places to live in New Mexico using data from Niche. Niche ranks places to live based on a variety of factors including cost of living, schools, health care, recreation, and weather.
On the list, there’s a robust mix of offerings from great schools and nightlife to high walkability and public parks. Some areas have enjoyed rapid growth thanks to new businesses moving to the area, while others offer glimpses into area history with well-preserved architecture and museums. Keep reading to see if your hometown made the list.
#10. Paradise Hills
- Population: 4,656
- Median home value: $182,100 (81% own)
- Median rent: $1,121 (19% rent)
- Median household income: $62,070
- Top public schools: Early College Academy (A), Nex+Gen Academy (A), College & Career High School (A-)
- Top private schools: Paradise Christian School
#9. Albuquerque
- Population: 559,374
- Median home value: $198,200 (60% own)
- Median rent: $873 (40% rent)
- Median household income: $52,911
- Top public schools: La Cueva High School (A), Albuquerque Institute of Math & Science (A), Cottonwood Classical Preparatory School (A)
- Top private schools: Albuquerque Academy (A+), Sandia Preparatory School (A+), Menaul School (A+)
#8. Valencia
- Population: 2,018
- Median home value: $165,200 (85% own)
- Median rent: $545 (15% rent)
- Median household income: $65,139
- Top public schools: Bosque Farms Elementary School (B+), Katherine Gallegos Elementary School (B+), Sundance Elementary School (B+)
#7. Rio Rancho
- Population: 96,210
- Median home value: $190,800 (77% own)
- Median rent: $1,167 (23% rent)
- Median household income: $66,856
- Top public schools: Mountain View Middle School (A), Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School (A), Early College Academy (A)
- Top private schools: Gospel Light Baptist Academy (A-), St. Thomas Aquinas School, Living Word Christian Academy
#6. Mesilla
- Population: 2,280
- Median home value: $213,500 (64% own)
- Median rent: $727 (36% rent)
- Median household income: $47,388
- Top public schools: Arrowhead Park Early College High School (A+), J. Paul Taylor Academy (A-), Las Cruces High School (B+)
#5. Corrales
- Population: 8,588
- Median home value: $447,600 (91% own)
- Median rent: $1,094 (9% rent)
- Median household income: $85,580
- Top public schools: Early College Academy (A), Nex+Gen Academy (A), College & Career High School (A-)
- Top private schools: Sandia View Academy (A-), Cottonwood School, Sandia View Elementary School
#4. San Ysidro
- Population: 2,060
- Median home value: $197,800 (77% own)
- Median rent: $751 (23% rent)
- Median household income: $75,883
- Top public schools: Arrowhead Park Early College High School (A+), Vista Middle School (B), Picacho Middle School (B-)
#3. Sandia Heights
- Population: 3,571
- Median home value: $465,700 (97% own)
- Median rent: $1,345 (3% rent)
- Median household income: $107,104
- Top public schools: La Cueva High School (A), Early College Academy (A), Nex+Gen Academy (A)
#2. White Rock
- Population: 5,751
- Median home value: $301,500 (92% own)
- Median rent: $1,253 (8% rent)
- Median household income: $135,964
- Top public schools: Chamisa Elementary School (A+), Los Alamos High School (A+), Los Alamos Middle School (A)
- Top private schools: Ponderosa Montessori School
#1. Los Alamos
- Population: 12,666
- Median home value: $308,100 (67% own)
- Median rent: $1,042 (33% rent)
- Median household income: $116,116
- Top public schools: Mountain Elementary School (A+), Los Alamos High School (A+), Los Alamos Middle School (A)
- Top private schools: Canyoncito Montessori School & Child Care Center
