New Mexico
New Mexico ranks #46 of 50 US states in 2026 with a composite score of 33.7/100 and a D grade. Its strongest category is Affordability (80/100) and its weakest is Safety (11/100).
How Does New Mexico Rank For...
Weights vary by lifestyle. Families prioritize education & safety; retirees prioritize fiscal health & healthcare. See methodology →
Top Strengths
Areas to Watch
Category Breakdown
12-Month Composite Trend
IllustrativeCities in New Mexico
| # | City | Grade | Score | Population | Income | Crime | Cost Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | Los Alamos | A+ | 69.0 | 13,471 | $136,502 | 85.6 | — |
| 345 | Rio Rancho | B+ | 56.7 | 110,660 | $88,366 | 411.8 | — |
| 611 | Carlsbad | C+ | 50.6 | 31,813 | $78,277 | 562.5 | 111.5 |
| 623 | Artesia | C+ | 50.3 | 12,555 | $77,647 | 214.1 | — |
| 639 | Santa Fe | C+ | 49.8 | 89,157 | $70,940 | 862.2 | 93.4 |
| 681 | Los Lunas | C | 48.7 | 17,932 | $63,696 | 604.9 | — |
| 704 | Alamogordo | C | 48.3 | 31,063 | $52,515 | 403.2 | — |
| 705 | Sunland Park | C | 48.3 | 17,085 | $52,147 | 411.7 | — |
| 745 | Las Cruces | C | 47.0 | 114,891 | $55,012 | 589.6 | 89.3 |
| 778 | Hobbs | C | 45.9 | 39,887 | $65,691 | 883.7 | — |
| 792 | Albuquerque | C | 45.6 | 560,283 | $67,907 | 1323.4 | 93 |
| 824 | Clovis | D | 44.5 | 38,153 | $54,029 | 553.2 | — |
| 831 | Farmington | D | 44.3 | 46,339 | $63,745 | 1071 | 86.5 |
| 898 | Portales | D | 41.6 | 12,023 | $51,290 | 689 | — |
| 925 | Las Vegas | D | 40.6 | 13,120 | $42,732 | 1070 | 97.4 |
| 927 | Roswell | D | 40.5 | 47,823 | $50,294 | 919.4 | — |
| 961 | Chaparral | F | 38.0 | 16,642 | $46,102 | — | — |
| 972 | Gallup | F | 36.9 | 21,333 | $57,466 | 1365.2 | — |
| 973 | Deming | F | 36.9 | 14,735 | $35,920 | — | — |
| 979 | South Valley | F | 35.9 | 36,605 | $51,062 | — | — |
Best Cities in New Mexico for...
| # | City | Families Score | 🎓 Education | 🛡️ Safety | 🏠 Affordability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Alamos | 70.0 | 69.3 | 97.8 | 61.9 |
| 2 | Sunland Park | 57.1 | 64.3 | 75.3 | 74.2 |
| 3 | Rio Rancho | 56.8 | 46.0 | 69.9 | 66.1 |
| 4 | Artesia | 54.6 | 46.6 | 72.6 | 72.8 |
| 5 | Alamogordo | 53.0 | 48.9 | 59.8 | 74.2 |
More West States
New Mexico Rankings Overview
New Mexico earns an overall grade of D with a composite score of 33.7 out of 100, ranking #46 among all 50 US states. The state's strongest category is Affordability (80/100) while its biggest challenge is Safety (11/100).
Economy & Employment in New Mexico
With an unemployment rate of 4% (compared to the national average of 3.8%), New Mexico performs below average on economic indicators. The median household income is $57,488, which ranks below the national median of $74,753.
Safety & Crime in New Mexico
New Mexico's violent crime rate of 717 per 100,000 residents places it in the bottom half of states for public safety. This is significantly above the national average of 350 per 100,000.
Health & Education in New Mexico
New Mexico ranks #42 for health outcomes according to the 2025 America's Health Rankings report, and #44 for K-12 education quality based on NAEP scores and graduation rates. Life expectancy in New Mexico is 76.3 years, and the high school graduation rate is 77%.
Taxes & Fiscal Health in New Mexico
New Mexico's total tax burden is 9.62% of personal income, which is above the national average of 8.74%. The top marginal income tax rate is 5.9%. The effective property tax rate is 0.74% and the combined state and local sales tax rate is 7.67%.
Housing & Affordability in New Mexico
The median home price in New Mexico is $357,000, below the national average of $394,620. The cost of living index is 90 (where 100 equals the national average), making it a more affordable state. The price-to-income ratio is 6.2x.
Environment in New Mexico
New Mexico has a median air quality index of 40 (EPA AirData), above the national average. 53% of the state's electricity comes from renewable sources, one of the highest rates in the country. The FEMA natural disaster risk score is 27.4 (below average risk).
Growth & Migration in New Mexico
New Mexico's population growth rate is +0.5% year over year. The net domestic migration rate is -0.7 per 1,000 residents. 89.9% of households have broadband internet access.
Best Cities in New Mexico
The top-ranked cities in New Mexico based on our composite scoring are Los Alamos, Rio Rancho, and Carlsbad. These cities score highest across economy, safety, health, and affordability metrics among the cities we track in New Mexico.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is New Mexico's overall ranking?
New Mexico ranks #46 out of 50 states with a composite score of 33.7/100 and a grade of D.
Is New Mexico a good place to live?
New Mexico faces several challenges, scoring 33.7/100 in our composite rankings. Areas such as crime rates and economic indicators trail the national average, though the state offers its own unique qualities and ongoing improvement efforts.
What is the crime rate in New Mexico?
The violent crime rate in New Mexico is 717 per 100,000 residents (2024 FBI data), compared to the national average of 350 per 100,000.
How does New Mexico's economy compare?
New Mexico's median household income is $57,488 with an unemployment rate of 4%. The unemployment rate is above the national average of 3.8%, and the median income is below the national median of $74,753.
What are the best cities in New Mexico?
Based on our composite scoring, the top-ranked cities in New Mexico are Los Alamos, Rio Rancho, and Carlsbad.
How does New Mexico rank for families?
New Mexico ranks #50 of 50 states for families with a score of 29.8/100. This is a lower-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing education, safety, housing.
How does New Mexico rank for retirees?
New Mexico ranks #45 of 50 states for retirees with a score of 46.3/100. This is a lower-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing health, fiscal, housing.
How does New Mexico rank for remote workers?
New Mexico ranks #37 of 50 states for remote workers with a score of 51.8/100. This is a lower-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing housing, economy, outdoor.