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Is Chaparral a Good Place to Live? Chaparral, New Mexico: cost of living, crime, schools and rankings
Chaparral ranks #1302 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #231 of 234 towns and #20 of 20 in New Mexico. Against similar-size cities it stands out for affordable homes ($109,300, #3 of 231) and low rents ($853/mo, #41 of 231), and trails on high poverty (27.4%, #228 of 234) and low household income ($46,017, #225 of 234).
Chaparral by the numbers
The measures people check first, each with Chaparral's rank among the tracked cities and the US figure (or the similar-size median where there is no national figure).
No crime figure is shown for Chaparral: no police agency reports to the FBI for it alone. See Is Chaparral safe?
What is the cost of living in Chaparral?
Chaparral's cost of living index is 90.2, 10% below the US level of 100 and #211 of 1,308 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent is $853/mo against $1,138/mo in similar-size cities. The typical home is worth $228,579, 28% below the typical New Mexico home ($318,241).
| Measure | Chaparral | New MexicoNM | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of living indexBEA Regional Price Parities, metro area · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size 94.3 · US 100 | 90.2#211 of 1,308 | 92.2 | 94.3 | 100 |
| Typical home valueZillow Home Value Index · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $325,401 · US $368,697 | $228,579#197 of 1,187 | $318,241 | $325,401 | $368,697 |
| Median home value (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $280,200 | $109,300#18 of 1,309 | — | $280,200 | — |
| Median rent (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $1,138/mo | $853/mo#56 of 1,309 | — | $1,138/mo | — |
| Home value to incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 3.7x | 2.4x#27 of 1,309 | — | 3.7x | — |
| Rent as a share of incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 19.3% | 22.2%#698 of 1,309 | — | 19.3% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). New Mexico is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. Zillow figures track homes and rentals on the market now; Census figures are survey medians of all homes and leases, so the two differ.
Chaparral housing market · August
Typical home value is a monthly index of homes in the middle third of the market; the Census figures above are survey medians and will differ. Source in the data sources list below. Chaparral is in the Las Cruces, NM metro.
New Mexico housing market →Is Chaparral safe?
No police agency reports crime to the FBI for Chaparral alone, which is typical of places policed by a county sheriff, so we don't publish a Chaparral crime rate or rank it on safety. New Mexico as a whole records 622 violent crimes per 100,000 residents against 328 nationally.
What do people earn in Chaparral?
The median household in Chaparral earns $46,017, 45% below the US figure of $83,163 and 32% below New Mexico ($67,816). 27.4% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Chaparral | New MexicoNM | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median household incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size $73,239 · US $83,163 | $46,017#1275 of 1,312 | $67,816 | $73,239 | $83,163 |
| Poverty rateCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 11.4% | 27.4%#1271 of 1,312 | — | 11.4% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). New Mexico is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure.
Who lives in Chaparral?
The median resident of Chaparral is 31.6 years old, against 38.6 in similar-size cities. 10.5% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #1306 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 69.4% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
| Measure | Chaparral | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median ageCensus ACSSimilar-size 38.6 | 31.6 | 38.6 | — |
| Adults with a bachelor's degree or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size 29.2% | 10.5%#1306 of 1,312 | 29.2% | — |
| Homes lived in by their ownerCensus ACSSimilar-size 65.1% | 69.4% | 65.1% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure.
How are Chaparral's schools and health?
Chaparral's 3 public schools graduate 82% of students in four years (New Mexico 76.6%), with 14.1 students per teacher and $18,250 spent per pupil. 41.6% of adults are obese and 16.6% have diabetes, against similar-size city medians of 34.5% and 10.7%.
| Measure | Chaparral | New MexicoNM | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High school graduation rateDepartment of Education EDFacts · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size 87% | 82%#809 of 1,063 | 76.6% | 87% | — |
| Students per teacherNCES Common Core of Data · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 14.1 | 14.1#301 of 1,188 | — | 14.1 | — |
| Spending per pupilNCES school finance survey · rank 1 = mostSimilar-size $14,825 | $18,250#325 of 1,188 | — | $14,825 | — |
| Adult obesityCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 34.5% | 41.6%#1195 of 1,311 | — | 34.5% | — |
| Adult diabetesCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 10.7% | 16.6%#1251 of 1,311 | — | 10.7% | — |
| Adults with frequent mental distressCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 16.8% | 17.5%#754 of 1,311 | — | 16.8% | — |
| Adults without health insuranceCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 8.6% | 29.3%#1297 of 1,311 | — | 8.6% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). New Mexico is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. 1,441 students are enrolled in Chaparral's public schools.
What are the commute and weather like in Chaparral?
The average commute in Chaparral is 29.9 minutes (New Mexico 24); 0% of workers take transit and 4.5% work from home. On the EPA's walkability index Chaparral scores 4.2 of 20 (least walkable), #1308 of 1,312 cities (1 = most walkable). Summers average 82.6°F and winters 47.1°F, with 9.1 inches of precipitation a year.
| Measure | Chaparral | New MexicoNM | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average commuteCensus ACS · rank 1 = shortestSimilar-size 20.4 min | 29.9 min#1100 of 1,312 | 24 min | 20.4 min | — |
| Commutes of an hour or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 4.8% | 6.8%#808 of 1,312 | 7% | 4.8% | — |
| Drive alone to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 75% | 83.9% | 73.8% | 75% | — |
| Take transit to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 0.3% | 0% | 0.5% | 0.3% | — |
| Walk to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 2% | 1% | 2% | 2% | — |
| Bike to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 0% | 0% | 0.5% | 0% | — |
| Work from homeCensus ACSSimilar-size 9.5% | 4.5% | 10.3% | 9.5% | — |
| Walkability index (1 to 20)EPA National Walkability Index · rank 1 = most walkableSimilar-size 8.8 | 4.2#1308 of 1,312 | — | 8.8 | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). New Mexico is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. The walkability index is the EPA's, averaged over the city's neighborhoods by population.
| Month | Average high (°F) | Average low (°F) | Precipitation (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 57.2 | 34 | 0.5 |
| Feb | 63.1 | 38.6 | 0.3 |
| Mar | 70.1 | 44.8 | 0.2 |
| Apr | 78.8 | 50.8 | 0 |
| May | 87.7 | 60.5 | 0.3 |
| Jun | 95.3 | 69.6 | 0.7 |
| Jul | 94.3 | 72.9 | 2.4 |
| Aug | 92.2 | 71.5 | 1.6 |
| Sep | 87.3 | 65.7 | 1.4 |
| Oct | 78.4 | 53.7 | 0.7 |
| Nov | 65.6 | 41.3 | 0.4 |
| Dec | 55.9 | 34 | 0.5 |
Top: average low to average high, °F. Bottom: precipitation, inches. NOAA 30-year climate normals at La Tuna 1 S.
| Measure | Chaparral | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 47.7°F | 65.1°F | 47.7°F | — |
| Summer average (Jun–Aug)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 69.6°F | 82.6°F | 69.6°F | — |
| Winter average (Dec–Feb)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 26.8°F | 47.1°F | 26.8°F | — |
| Precipitation a yearNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 36.5 in | 9.1 in | 36.5 in | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure. NOAA 30-year climate normals at La Tuna 1 S.
What are the air quality and natural hazard risks in Chaparral?
Doña Ana County's air had a median air quality index of 61, and 27% of measured days were rated good; 48 days were unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse, mostly from ozone. Relative to other US counties, FEMA's National Risk Index puts Doña Ana County's biggest natural hazard losses in inland flooding, earthquake, and hail, with expected yearly losses of 0.15% of building value, higher than 52% of US counties.
| Measure | Chaparral | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median air quality index (county)EPA Air Quality System · rank 1 = cleanestSimilar-size 38 | 61#1011 of 1,138 | 38 | — |
| Unhealthy air days a year (county)EPA Air Quality System · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 1 | 48#1060 of 1,138 | 1 | — |
| Yearly hazard losses, share of building value (county)FEMA National Risk Index · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 0.14% | 0.15%#695 of 1,312 | 0.14% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure. County figures for Doña Ana County: the EPA measures air at monitors and FEMA estimates hazard losses by county, not by city.
Natural hazard losses, Doña Ana County
| Hazard | Yearly loss | Higher than |
|---|---|---|
| Inland flooding | 0.13% | 86% of counties |
| Earthquake | 0.0041% | 61% of counties |
| Hail | 0.0024% | 54% of counties |
FEMA National Risk Index: expected yearly building losses from each hazard as a share of the county's building value, compared with every US county exposed to that hazard. Loss rates, unlike FEMA's risk ratings, do not rise just because a county has more property.
How does Chaparral compare with similar-size cities?
Chaparral is one of 234 places under 25,000 people we track and ranks #231 of them on overall score. The table sets it beside the 8 cities in other states closest to its population of 18,186.
| City | Rank | Score | Income | Rent | Violent crime | Commute |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chaparral, NMPop. 18,186 | #1302 | 36.3 | $46,017 | $853/mo | no data | 29.9 min |
| Sheridan, WYPop. 19,285 | #679 | 55.5 | $62,867 | $936/mo | 110 | 12.8 min |
| Ammon, IDPop. 19,064 | #868 | 52.2 | $86,121 | $1,372/mo | no data | 21.9 min |
| Badger, AKPop. 18,677 | #886 | 52.0 | $97,183 | $1,629/mo | no data | 22.5 min |
| Westerly, RIPop. 18,411 | #55 | 70.6 | $95,207 | $1,260/mo | 26 | 22.9 min |
| Fairmont, WVPop. 18,221 | #1080 | 48.4 | $63,032 | $916/mo | 395 | 22.8 min |
| Wahiawa, HIPop. 17,996 | #905 | 51.7 | $87,143 | $1,546/mo | no data | 31.7 min |
| Spanish Springs, NVPop. 17,980 | #438 | 59.3 | $127,658 | $1,963/mo | no data | 33 min |
| Brunswick, MEPop. 17,652 | #88 | 68.8 | $70,722 | $1,465/mo | 48 | 22.8 min |
Rank is overall rank of 1,312. Income is median household income; rent is Census median rent; violent crime is per 100,000 residents as reported to the FBI ("no data" and "incomplete" are explained on each city's page).
How does Chaparral compare with the rest of New Mexico?
Chaparral ranks #20 of the 20 New Mexico cities we track, with a score of 36.3 against New Mexico's statewide 30.6. Its households earn 32% below the New Mexico median. Homes are 28% below the typical New Mexico home.
| City | Rank in NM | Score | Income | Rent | Violent crime |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Alamos, NMPop. 13,317 | #1 | 75.8 | $141,018 | $1,359/mo | part year |
| Rio Rancho, NMPop. 108,515 | #2 | 59.6 | $89,596 | $1,514/mo | 322 |
| Santa Fe, NMPop. 89,019 | #3 | 57.0 | $73,482 | $1,463/mo | 518 |
| Carlsbad, NMPop. 31,746 | #4 | 50.0 | $72,306 | $1,236/mo | 576 |
| Clovis, NMPop. 37,942 | #5 | 49.6 | $54,820 | $988/mo | 378 |
| Alamogordo, NMPop. 31,307 | #6 | 49.6 | $55,952 | $902/mo | 433 |
| Los Lunas, NMPop. 18,618 | #7 | 49.2 | $62,330 | $1,110/mo | 491 |
| Las Cruces, NMPop. 114,197 | #8 | 49.0 | $55,422 | $974/mo | 496 |
| Albuquerque, NMPop. 562,218 | #9 | 48.8 | $68,317 | $1,145/mo | 1,024 |
| Sunland Park, NMPop. 17,463 | #10 | 48.8 | $62,814 | $920/mo | 280 |
| Artesia, NMPop. 12,576 | #11 | 48.5 | $74,915 | $1,288/mo | 393 |
| Hobbs, NMPop. 40,252 | #12 | 48.4 | $64,021 | $1,112/mo | 709 |
| Farmington, NMPop. 46,314 | #13 | 47.9 | $68,784 | $1,037/mo | 1,045 |
| Roswell, NMPop. 47,638 | #14 | 44.6 | $51,583 | $876/mo | 662 |
| South Valley, NMPop. 37,120 | #15 | 43.7 | $58,224 | $954/mo | no data |
| Portales, NMPop. 11,968 | #16 | 42.5 | $50,555 | $903/mo | 419 |
| Las Vegas, NMPop. 13,000 | #17 | 38.0 | $45,125 | $792/mo | 786 |
| Deming, NMPop. 15,221 | #18 | 36.7 | $34,165 | $586/mo | part year |
| Gallup, NMPop. 21,023 | #19 | 36.6 | $58,303 | $927/mo | 1,291 |
| Chaparral, NMPop. 18,186 | #20 | 36.3 | $46,017 | $853/mo | no data |
All 20 New Mexico cities we track, by overall score. New Mexico statewide: median income $67,816, violent crime 621.6 per 100,000.
How is Chaparral's score calculated?
Chaparral scores 36.3 out of 100, #1302 of 1,312 (grade F, which follows rank). It is scored on the 8 of 11 categories with local data; safety, growth, and outdoor access are left out rather than filled with New Mexico's statewide figure, and the other weights are scaled up to fill the gap. Each score is compared with the median of similar-size cities, which are scored the same way.
- EconomyCity data, some inputs missing · 20% of score
Median household income and unemployment in Chaparral. One input is missing, so the score uses the others. Similar-size median 41.9.
9.6 - HealthCity data · 16% of score
Adult obesity, diabetes and frequent mental distress in Chaparral. Similar-size median 56.5.
33.0 - EducationCity data · 16% of score
Graduation rate, students per teacher and spending per pupil in Chaparral's public schools. Similar-size median 62.6.
62.5 - AffordabilityCity data · 13% of score
Chaparral's home values and rents and its metro area's price level. Similar-size median 74.8.
88.6 - Household financesCity data · 11% of score
Median household income and poverty rate in Chaparral. Similar-size median 50.8.
9.6 - TransportationCity data · 9% of score
Commute time, long commutes, driving alone, transit, walking, cycling and working from home in Chaparral. Similar-size median 48.3.
31.4 - WalkabilityCity data · 9% of score
The EPA's walkability index across Chaparral's neighborhoods. Similar-size median 41.1.
16.8 - EnvironmentCounty data · 5% of score
Air quality and natural hazard losses in the county. Similar-size median 59.2.
32.9 - SafetyNot scored
No FBI figures from a police agency serving Chaparral alone.
— - GrowthNot scored
The Census does not estimate yearly population for Chaparral.
— - Outdoor accessNot scored
No city-level park or public land measure exists, so outdoor access is not scored for cities.
—
Bar: Chaparral's category score out of 100. Tick: median of the 234 places under 25,000 people we track. Shares of score are the category weights rescaled over the categories Chaparral has data for. City scores use city formulas and are not on the same scale as state scores. Grades follow rank among the 1,312 cities. Methodology
Frequently asked questions about living in Chaparral
Is Chaparral, NM a good place to live?
Chaparral ranks #1302 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #231 of 234 towns and #20 of 20 in New Mexico. Against similar-size cities it stands out for affordable homes ($109,300, #3 of 231) and low rents ($853/mo, #41 of 231), and trails on high poverty (27.4%, #228 of 234) and low household income ($46,017, #225 of 234).
What is the cost of living in Chaparral?
Chaparral's cost of living index is 90.2, 10% below the US level of 100 and #211 of 1,308 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent is $853/mo against $1,138/mo in similar-size cities. The typical home is worth $228,579, 28% below the typical New Mexico home ($318,241).
Is Chaparral safe?
No police agency reports crime to the FBI for Chaparral alone, which is typical of places policed by a county sheriff, so we don't publish a Chaparral crime rate or rank it on safety. New Mexico as a whole records 622 violent crimes per 100,000 residents against 328 nationally.
What is the median household income in Chaparral?
The median household in Chaparral earns $46,017, 45% below the US figure of $83,163 and 32% below New Mexico ($67,816). 27.4% of residents live below the poverty line.
How much is rent in Chaparral?
Median rent in Chaparral is $853/mo (Census), #56 of 1,309 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent takes 22.2% of the median household's income.
How much does a house cost in Chaparral?
The typical home value in Chaparral is $228,579, down 2.1% in a year, against $318,241 for New Mexico and $368,697 nationally. The Census median value of owner-occupied homes is $109,300.
How are the public schools in Chaparral?
Chaparral's 3 public schools graduate 82% of students in four years (New Mexico 76.6%), with 14.1 students per teacher and $18,250 spent per pupil.
How long is the commute in Chaparral?
The average commute is 29.9 minutes, #1100 of 1,312 cities (1 = shortest), against 24 minutes across New Mexico. 6.8% of workers spend an hour or more getting to work.
What is the weather like in Chaparral?
Chaparral averages 65.1°F over the year, 82.6°F in summer and 47.1°F in winter, with 9.1 inches of precipitation. Figures are NOAA climate normals.
Is Chaparral walkable?
Chaparral scores 4.2 out of 20 on the EPA's National Walkability Index (least walkable), #1308 of 1,312 cities (1 = most walkable). The index weighs street intersection density, distance to transit and the mix of homes and jobs in each neighborhood.
What natural disasters is Chaparral at risk for?
Relative to other US counties, FEMA's National Risk Index puts Doña Ana County's biggest natural hazard losses in inland flooding, earthquake, and hail, with expected yearly losses of 0.15% of building value, higher than 52% of US counties.
How is the air quality in Chaparral?
Doña Ana County's air had a median air quality index of 61, and 27% of measured days were rated good; 48 days were unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse, mostly from ozone.
Who lives in Chaparral?
Chaparral has 18,186 residents. The median resident of Chaparral is 31.6 years old, against 38.6 in similar-size cities. 10.5% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #1306 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 69.4% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
How does Chaparral compare with the rest of New Mexico?
Chaparral ranks #20 of the 20 New Mexico cities we track, with a score of 36.3 against New Mexico's statewide 30.6. Its households earn 32% below the New Mexico median. Homes are 28% below the typical New Mexico home.
What cities are similar in size to Chaparral?
The tracked cities in other states closest to Chaparral's population of 18,186 are Sheridan, WY (#679 overall), Ammon, ID (#868 overall), Badger, AK (#886 overall), Westerly, RI (#55 overall), and Fairmont, WV (#1080 overall). Chaparral is #1302.