Best Cities for Outdoor Enthusiasts in New Mexico
New Mexico ranks #29 of 50 for outdoor enthusiasts, with a outdoor enthusiasts score of 42.2. Los Alamos is its best city for outdoor enthusiasts at 77.0.
- New Mexico, all states
- #29 of 50
- Population
- 13,317
New Mexico for Outdoor Enthusiasts: The Full Picture
New Mexico ranks #29 out of 50 for outdoor enthusiasts, with a mixed outdoor profile. The outdoor access score of 44/100 indicates limited public outdoor infrastructure compared to western and northeastern states. With 34.7% of the state as public land, there's no shortage of space to explore.
Environmental quality matters when you spend significant time outdoors. New Mexico's environment score of 51/100 is middling — air quality (AQI: 40) is moderate, though environmental policy could be stronger. Natural disaster risk is low, meaning fewer disruptions to outdoor plans.
The practical side: affordable living (index: 92.2) means more budget for gear, trips, and experiences. Safety (33/100) is worth researching at the local level, and the overall health infrastructure (36/100) is adequate, though access to specialized sports medicine may be limited outside metros.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Outdoor Enthusiasts
| # City | Grade | Outdoor Enthusiasts score | Overall | Environment | Safety | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Los Alamos | A+ | 77.0 | 75.8 | 93 | — | 13,317 |
| 2Rio Rancho | B+ | 64.1 | 59.6 | 65 | 79 | 108,515 |
| 3Clovis | C | 62.0 | 49.6 | 80 | 72 | 37,942 |
| 4Santa Fe | B | 59.0 | 57.0 | 59 | 53 | 89,019 |
| 5Deming | F | 55.9 | 36.7 | 80 | — | 15,221 |
| 6Los Lunas | C | 52.2 | 49.2 | 35 | 61 | 18,618 |
| 7Sunland Park | D | 52.1 | 48.8 | 33 | 85 | 17,463 |
| 8South Valley | D | 52.0 | 43.7 | 54 | — | 37,120 |
| 9Roswell | D | 50.0 | 44.6 | 46 | 48 | 47,638 |
| 10Las Cruces | C | 49.7 | 49.0 | 33 | 49 | 114,197 |
| 11Artesia | D | 49.5 | 48.5 | 27 | 66 | 12,576 |
| 12Farmington | D | 48.9 | 47.9 | 49 | 25 | 46,314 |
| 13Carlsbad | C | 48.6 | 50.0 | 27 | 51 | 31,746 |
| 14Albuquerque | D | 48.6 | 48.8 | 54 | 14 | 562,218 |
| 15Alamogordo | C | 48.4 | 49.6 | 12 | 66 | 31,307 |
| 16Hobbs | D | 47.3 | 48.4 | 33 | 40 | 40,252 |
| 17Portales | F | 46.5 | 42.5 | 2 | 71 | 11,968 |
| 18Gallup | F | 46.5 | 36.6 | 81 | 13 | 21,023 |
| 19Las Vegas | F | 40.6 | 38.0 | 14 | 45 | 13,000 |
| 20Chaparral | F | 39.7 | 36.3 | 33 | — | 18,186 |
City outdoor enthusiasts scores use each city's own data, with the category weights rescaled over the categories the city has; outdoor access has no city-level measure and is left out.
Compare: States with Similar Outdoor Enthusiasts Rankings
Also See: New Mexico for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New Mexico a good state for outdoor enthusiasts?
New Mexico ranks #29 out of 50 for outdoor enthusiasts with a persona-weighted score of 42.2/100. Its strongest relevant category is Affordability (81/100) and its weakest is Livability (23/100).
What is the best city for outdoor enthusiasts in New Mexico?
Los Alamos ranks #1 in New Mexico for outdoor enthusiasts with a score of 77.0/100, followed by Rio Rancho and Clovis.
What factors are most important for outdoor enthusiasts in New Mexico?
Rankings weighted toward outdoor access (parks, public land, recreation), environmental quality, safety, health infrastructure, and affordable housing — for those who prioritize access to nature and an active lifestyle.