Best Cities for Retirees in New Mexico
New Mexico ranks #42 of 50 for retirees, with a retirees score of 52.7. Los Alamos is its best city for retirees at 75.6.
- New Mexico, all states
- #42 of 50
- Population
- 13,317
What Retirees Should Know About New Mexico
At #42 out of 50, New Mexico isn't a traditional retirement hotspot — but that doesn't tell the whole story. The state has genuine strengths in affordability, and retirees with specific priorities (low cost of living) may find it suits them better than the aggregate ranking suggests.
For retirees, healthcare access and tax friendliness are non-negotiable. New Mexico's health score of 36/100 is a concern — at 74.5 years, life expectancy trails the national average, and access to quality care can be uneven. On the tax front, the overall burden stands at 9.62% of income. The 5.9% income tax rate is worth factoring into retirement income projections. Property taxes run 0.74% (effective rate), which is among the lowest in the nation.
A typical home value of $318,241 is manageable for retirees selling homes in higher-cost markets. Safety is worth researching at the local level — the statewide safety score of 33/100 suggests some areas perform better than others. Livability amenities are more limited compared to top-ranked states, so retirees who value a vibrant social scene should focus their search on the state's larger metro areas.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Retirees
| # City | Grade | Retirees score | Overall | Health | Household finances | Affordability | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Los Alamos | A+ | 75.6 | 75.8 | 82 | 94 | 68 | 13,317 |
| 2Rio Rancho | B+ | 62.9 | 59.6 | 62 | 66 | 69 | 108,515 |
| 3Santa Fe | B | 60.1 | 57.0 | 71 | 48 | 62 | 89,019 |
| 4Albuquerque | D | 52.9 | 48.8 | 58 | 41 | 74 | 562,218 |
| 5Clovis | C | 51.2 | 49.6 | 39 | 24 | 87 | 37,942 |
| 6Farmington | D | 51.0 | 47.9 | 51 | 38 | 83 | 46,314 |
| 7South Valley | D | 50.2 | 43.7 | 44 | 31 | 79 | 37,120 |
| 8Los Lunas | C | 48.3 | 49.2 | 53 | 34 | 76 | 18,618 |
| 9Carlsbad | C | 47.9 | 50.0 | 47 | 46 | 83 | 31,746 |
| 10Alamogordo | C | 47.9 | 49.6 | 51 | 34 | 88 | 31,307 |
| 11Artesia | D | 46.5 | 48.5 | 47 | 44 | 81 | 12,576 |
| 12Las Cruces | C | 45.6 | 49.0 | 52 | 23 | 82 | 114,197 |
| 13Sunland Park | D | 44.5 | 48.8 | 33 | 26 | 83 | 17,463 |
| 14Gallup | F | 43.5 | 36.6 | 36 | 16 | 88 | 21,023 |
| 15Hobbs | D | 43.4 | 48.4 | 50 | 32 | 85 | 40,252 |
| 16Roswell | D | 42.4 | 44.6 | 40 | 15 | 89 | 47,638 |
| 17Deming | F | 42.4 | 36.7 | 36 | 0 | 94 | 15,221 |
| 18Portales | F | 41.9 | 42.5 | 57 | 10 | 89 | 11,968 |
| 19Las Vegas | F | 39.7 | 38.0 | 43 | 4 | 90 | 13,000 |
| 20Chaparral | F | 33.7 | 36.3 | 33 | 10 | 89 | 18,186 |
City retirees 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. City scores for retirees also weigh the county's expected yearly building losses from natural hazards (FEMA), lower is better; the share of adults without health insurance (CDC PLACES), a sign of local healthcare access, lower is better; the median age of residents (Census ACS), older is better: more peers and retiree services.
Compare: States with Similar Retirees Rankings
Also See: New Mexico for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New Mexico a good state for retirees?
New Mexico ranks #42 out of 50 for retirees with a persona-weighted score of 52.7/100. Its strongest relevant category is Affordability (81/100) and its weakest is Livability (23/100).
What is the best city for retirees in New Mexico?
Los Alamos ranks #1 in New Mexico for retirees with a score of 75.6/100, followed by Rio Rancho and Santa Fe.
What factors are most important for retirees in New Mexico?
Rankings weighted toward low taxes, quality healthcare, affordable living, safety, community livability, and pleasant environment — the priorities for retirement years.