Best places to live in New Mexico
An ideal town or neighborhood looks different for everyone.
Those who can't get enough of the outdoors may prioritize proximity to trails, lakes, and beaches, while parents are looking for places with top-ranked schools for their children. Culture lovers might want to live in a city with museums and art walks, whereas sports fans look for professional or college sports teams nearby.
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.
CORRECTION: A previously published version of this piece, in some cases, incorrectly listed private schools as public schools.
#4. Los Alamos, New Mexico
- Overall Rank: 46
- Population: 13,460
- Median household income: $130,342
- Median home value: $410,100 (65% own)
- Median rent: $1,222 (35% rent)
- Top public schools: Los Alamos High School (grade A), Mountain Elementary School (grade A), Barranca Mesa Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Ponderosa Montessori School (grade unavailable), Canyoncito Montessori School & Child Care Center (grade unavailable), Las Cumbres Community Services - Conjunto Preschool (grade unavailable)
#3. Sandia Heights, New Mexico
- Overall Rank: 1,328
- Population: 3,205
- Median household income: $151,991
- Median home value: $593,100 (96% own)
- Median rent: $2,567 (4% rent)
- Top public schools: Nex+Gen Academy (grade A+), La Cueva High School (grade A+), Cottonwood Classical Preparatory School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Albuquerque Academy (grade A+), Sandia Preparatory School (grade A+), Menaul School (grade A+)
#2. White Rock, New Mexico
- Overall Rank: 713
- Population: 5,592
- Median household income: $144,661
- Median home value: $420,000 (97% own)
- Median rent: $1,356 (3% rent)
- Top public schools: Los Alamos High School (grade A), Los Alamos Middle School (grade A), Chamisa Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Ponderosa Montessori School (grade unavailable), Canyoncito Montessori School & Child Care Center (grade unavailable)
#1. Nob Hill, New Mexico
- Overall Rank: 1,439
- Population: 4,409
- Median household income: $84,617
- Median home value: $363,549 (56% own)
- Median rent: $1,219 (44% rent)
- Top public schools: Nex+Gen Academy (grade A+), Cottonwood Classical Preparatory School (grade A), Albuquerque Institute of Math & Science (grade A)
- Top private schools: Albuquerque Academy (grade A+), Sandia Preparatory School (grade A+), Menaul School (grade A+)
This story features data reporting and writing by Elena Cox and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 42 states.
