Best counties to retire to in New Mexico
Best counties to retire to in New Mexico
Buyers and sellers of real estate alike—when asked what the three most essential considerations about a property are—will nearly always reply "location, location, location." While this answer is sometimes tongue-in-cheek, it is often quite accurate, and this reply perhaps applies to retirees more than any other demographic. Settling down after a lifetime of working and possibly raising a family calls for the perfect location: a spot where you can enjoy life with as few concerns as possible.
When seniors aged 65 or older decide where they want to live out their golden years, they consider particular factors, such as the cost of living, government services, health care facilities, weather and overall climate, crime rate, outdoor recreational activities, eating establishments, cultural and entertainment opportunities, and more.
To find the best counties to retire to in New Mexico based on these criteria, Stacker compiled a list using 2025 rankings from Niche, which ranks counties based on cost of living, health care access, recreation, weather, and more. You can read more about Niche's methodology here.
While location is critical as retirees determine where to spend their senior years enjoying favorite activities, it's a unique decision based on many preferences and needs. Whether it be bustling downtowns or access to parks, affordable home prices or cultural amenities like museums, retirees seeking to settle in a permanent spot are sure to find a private paradise in any of these counties recommended by Niche because, in the end, there is no place like home—no matter the location.
Read on to discover the best counties to retire to in New Mexico.
#25. Lea County
- Niche grades: good for retirees (D+), cost of living (C+), weather (A-), outdoor activities (B)
- Population: 73,154
- Median household income: $68,750
- Median home value: $176,000
- Top places to live: Hobbs (B-), Lovington (B-), Eunice (C)
#24. San Juan County
- Niche grades: good for retirees (C-), cost of living (C+), weather (B+), outdoor activities (B+)
- Population: 121,178
- Median household income: $53,020
- Median home value: $185,100
- Top places to live: Farmington (B), Lee Acres (B-), Bloomfield (B-)
#23. Cibola County
- Niche grades: good for retirees (C-), cost of living (B), weather (B), outdoor activities (C)
- Population: 27,059
- Median household income: $51,765
- Median home value: $120,000
- Top places to live: Milan (C+), Grants (C+), North Acomita Village (C+)
#22. Curry County
- Niche grades: good for retirees (C-), cost of living (C+), weather (B+), outdoor activities (C)
- Population: 47,932
- Median household income: $56,259
- Median home value: $160,800
- Top places to live: Clovis (B-), Texico (B+), Melrose (B-)
#21. Rio Arriba County
- Niche grades: good for retirees (C-), cost of living (C+), weather (B), outdoor activities (B-)
- Population: 40,165
- Median household income: $53,901
- Median home value: $230,900
- Top places to live: La Mesilla (B-), La Villita (C+), Española (C)
#20. Roosevelt County
- Niche grades: good for retirees (C-), cost of living (B-), weather (B+), outdoor activities (B-)
- Population: 19,002
- Median household income: $52,445
- Median home value: $136,000
- Top places to live: Portales (B), Elida (B-), Floyd (C-)
#19. Socorro County
- Niche grades: good for retirees (C-), cost of living (B), weather (A-), outdoor activities (B-)
- Population: 16,308
- Median household income: $47,556
- Median home value: $143,200
- Top places to live: Socorro (B), Magdalena (B-), Lemitar (C+)
#18. Eddy County
- Niche grades: good for retirees (C-), cost of living (C+), weather (A-), outdoor activities (B+)
- Population: 61,114
- Median household income: $79,605
- Median home value: $199,400
- Top places to live: Artesia (B+), Carlsbad (B), Atoka (B-)
#17. Torrance County
- Niche grades: good for retirees (C+), cost of living (C+), weather (A-), outdoor activities (B-)
- Population: 15,290
- Median household income: $46,250
- Median home value: $145,100
- Top places to live: Mountainair (B-), Estancia (B-), Willard (C+)
#16. Otero County
- Niche grades: good for retirees (C+), cost of living (C+), weather (A-), outdoor activities (B+)
- Population: 68,235
- Median household income: $52,717
- Median home value: $149,500
- Top places to live: Alamogordo (B), La Luz (B), Boles Acres (B-)
#15. Sierra County
- Niche grades: good for retirees (C+), cost of living (B-), weather (A-), outdoor activities (A-)
- Population: 11,511
- Median household income: $37,840
- Median home value: $144,800
- Top places to live: Truth or Consequences (B-), Elephant Butte (C+), Williamsburg (C+)
#14. Chaves County
- Niche grades: good for retirees (C+), cost of living (B-), weather (A), outdoor activities (B)
- Population: 64,446
- Median household income: $52,029
- Median home value: $141,900
- Top places to live: Roswell (B-), Hagerman (B-), Dexter (C+)
#13. San Miguel County
- Niche grades: good for retirees (C+), cost of living (C+), weather (B), outdoor activities (C+)
- Population: 27,036
- Median household income: $47,400
- Median home value: $177,600
- Top places to live: Las Vegas (B-), Pecos (C+), East Pecos (C)
#12. Valencia County
- Niche grades: good for retirees (C+), cost of living (C), weather (A), outdoor activities (A-)
- Population: 77,382
- Median household income: $58,333
- Median home value: $206,800
- Top places to live: Los Chaves (B+), Valencia (B), Bosque Farms (B)
#11. Quay County
- Niche grades: good for retirees (C+), cost of living (B), weather (B), outdoor activities (C)
- Population: 8,616
- Median household income: $43,698
- Median home value: $82,200
- Top places to live: Tucumcari (B), San Jon (B+), Logan (C)
#10. Luna County
- Niche grades: good for retirees (B-), cost of living (B-), weather (A-), outdoor activities (B+)
- Population: 25,420
- Median household income: $37,917
- Median home value: $112,500
- Top places to live: Deming (C+), Sunshine (C+), Columbus (C-)
#9. Sandoval County
- Niche grades: good for retirees (B-), cost of living (C-), weather (A), outdoor activities (A)
- Population: 151,538
- Median household income: $84,053
- Median home value: $282,300
- Top places to live: Corrales (A), Rio Rancho (A-), Placitas (B+)
#8. Taos County
- Niche grades: good for retirees (B-), cost of living (C-), weather (C+), outdoor activities (A-)
- Population: 34,516
- Median household income: $58,908
- Median home value: $354,000
- Top places to live: Ranchos de Taos (B), Taos (B-), Talpa (C+)
#7. Bernalillo County
- Niche grades: good for retirees (B), cost of living (C-), weather (A), outdoor activities (A)
- Population: 674,357
- Median household income: $66,514
- Median home value: $268,500
- Top places to live: Nob Hill (A+), Sandia Heights (A+), Eastside (A)
#6. Doña Ana County
- Niche grades: good for retirees (B), cost of living (C), weather (A+), outdoor activities (B+)
- Population: 221,665
- Median household income: $55,663
- Median home value: $205,400
- Top places to live: Mesilla (A-), Las Cruces (B+), Santa Teresa (B)
#5. Lincoln County
- Niche grades: good for retirees (B+), cost of living (C+), weather (A-), outdoor activities (A-)
- Population: 20,227
- Median household income: $51,643
- Median home value: $212,200
- Top places to live: Ruidoso (B), Ruidoso Downs (B-), Capitan (B+)
#4. Los Alamos County
- Niche grades: good for retirees (B+), cost of living (C), weather (A-), outdoor activities (A-)
- Population: 19,374
- Median household income: $143,188
- Median home value: $452,500
- Top places to live: Los Alamos (A+), White Rock (A+)
#3. Colfax County
- Niche grades: good for retirees (B+), cost of living (B-), weather (B-), outdoor activities (A-)
- Population: 12,336
- Median household income: $52,690
- Median home value: $161,000
- Top places to live: Raton (B-), Cimarron (B), Springer (B)
#2. Santa Fe County
- Niche grades: good for retirees (A-), cost of living (D+), weather (A), outdoor activities (A)
- Population: 155,175
- Median household income: $74,689
- Median home value: $416,900
- Top places to live: Edgewood (A-), Pojoaque (B+), Eldorado at Santa Fe (B+)
#1. Grant County
- Niche grades: good for retirees (A), cost of living (C+), weather (A-), outdoor activities (B+)
- Population: 27,856
- Median household income: $45,921
- Median home value: $164,400
- Top places to live: Silver City (B), Bayard (B-), Santa Clara (B-)
This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.
