Best counties to live in New Mexico

Written by:
February 18, 2021
Asaavedra32 // Wikimedia

Best counties to live in New Mexico

What makes a particular county the best? Oftentimes, it's a good mix of opportunities for fun outdoor activities and cultural attractions. Throw in some historical sites, good schools, job opportunities, and affordable housing, and the county will most likely have happy residents.

Stacker compiled a list of the best counties to live in New Mexico using rankings from Niche. Niche ranks counties by a variety of factors including: public schools, educational attainment, cost of living, and housing.

Many counties on the list are experiencing growth due to their job opportunities, education, or home values. Others are adored for their historic or well-designed value, or devotion to cultural opportunities. Keep reading to see if your county made the list.

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psyberartist // Wikimedia Commons

#15. Sierra County

- Population: 11,031
- Median home value: $117,400 (74% own)
- Median rent: $537 (26% rent)
- Median household income: $29,755
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Billy Hathorn // Wikimedia Commons

#14. Colfax County

- Population: 12,168
- Median home value: $104,800 (71% own)
- Median rent: $676 (29% rent)
- Median household income: $36,302
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Billy Hathorn // Wikimedia Commons

#13. Curry County

- Population: 49,732
- Median home value: $125,000 (57% own)
- Median rent: $843 (43% rent)
- Median household income: $45,092
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AllenS // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Lea County

- Population: 70,277
- Median home value: $133,100 (67% own)
- Median rent: $895 (33% rent)
- Median household income: $60,546
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Underawesternsky // Shutterstock

#11. Grant County

- Population: 27,669
- Median home value: $125,100 (68% own)
- Median rent: $671 (32% rent)
- Median household income: $37,843
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Gestalt Imagery // Shutterstock

#10. Lincoln County

- Population: 19,461
- Median home value: $193,900 (81% own)
- Median rent: $697 (19% rent)
- Median household income: $46,216
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turtix // Shutterstock

#9. Sandoval County

- Population: 142,704
- Median home value: $200,900 (79% own)
- Median rent: $1,117 (21% rent)
- Median household income: $63,802
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David Langford // Shutterstock

#8. Doña Ana County

- Population: 216,069
- Median home value: $147,400 (63% own)
- Median rent: $754 (37% rent)
- Median household income: $40,973
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Cheri Alguire // Shutterstock

#7. Chaves County

- Population: 65,144
- Median home value: $108,700 (69% own)
- Median rent: $771 (31% rent)
- Median household income: $43,359
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Kristi Blokhin // Shutterstock

#6. Otero County

- Population: 66,137
- Median home value: $112,400 (64% own)
- Median rent: $792 (36% rent)
- Median household income: $41,988
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Wordbuilder // Wikimedia Commons

#5. Roosevelt County

- Population: 18,888
- Median home value: $118,200 (58% own)
- Median rent: $778 (42% rent)
- Median household income: $42,702
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Canva

#4. Eddy County

- Population: 57,732
- Median home value: $155,900 (69% own)
- Median rent: $946 (31% rent)
- Median household income: $65,328
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M.Bucka // Wikimedia Commons

#3. Bernalillo County

- Population: 677,858
- Median home value: $199,300 (63% own)
- Median rent: $874 (37% rent)
- Median household income: $53,329
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Asaavedra32 // Wikimedia

#2. Santa Fe County

- Population: 149,293
- Median home value: $291,800 (71% own)
- Median rent: $1,048 (29% rent)
- Median household income: $61,200
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Joseph Sohm // Shutterstock

#1. Los Alamos County

- Population: 18,625
- Median home value: $302,800 (74% own)
- Median rent: $1,062 (26% rent)
- Median household income: $121,324

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