The 88130 zip code in Portales tops our ranking of the most affordable places to live in New Mexico.
We looked at 56 zip codes in the state, evaluating home values, rental costs, energy rates, property taxes, and five other affordability indicators. We used the data we gathered to calculate our proprietary Affordability Score for each zip code.
Top 10 most affordable places to live in New Mexico
| Rank | City | Affordability Score | Median home value | Rental costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Portales 🥇 | 100.0 | $143,585 | $965 |
| 2 | Clovis 🥈 | 90.8 | $161,584 | $1,255 |
| 3 | Lovington 🥉 | 87.9 | $177,713 | $1,540 |
| 4 | Hobbs | 86.7 | $191,228 | $1,337 |
| 5 | Roswell | 84.3 | $141,993 | $1,540 |
| 6 | Carlsbad | 79.0 | $251,237 | $1,653 |
| 7 | Grants | 78.5 | $154,611 | $1,540 |
| 8 | Artesia | 73.7 | $242,777 | $2,714 |
| 9 | Gallup | 72.3 | $222,740 | $1,540 |
| 10 | Deming | 70.5 | $163,701 | $1,540 |
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1. Portales
Here's why the 88130 zip code in Portales is New Mexico's most affordable place to live.
🔎 Key data about Portales
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 56 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 100.0 | No. 1 | N/A |
| Median home value | $143,585[1] | No. 2 | -$184,312.86 |
| Home affordability ratio | 2.7 | No. 3 | -2.1 |
| Home value five-year change | 5.5%[2] | No. 3 | -24.4% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -2.1%[3] | No. 10 | -2.3% |
| Rental costs | $965[4] | No. 1 | -$575 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.84% | No. 5 | -0.4% |
| Median household income | $52,434[5] | No. 43 | -$15,770 |
| Property taxes | $633[6] | No. 2 | -$1,322 |
| Energy costs | $0.12 kWh[7] | No. 9 | -$0.02 |
Portales's 88130 zip code is the cheapest place to live in New Mexico, leading the 56 markets we evaluated.
The median home value is $143,585, making it the 2nd-cheapest housing market in the state. Forecasts project a -2.1% change in home values in the next year. Rent in the zip code averages $965 per month, which is the 5th cheapest amount in New Mexico.
The median property tax for homeowners in Portales is $633 per household, the No. 2 ranked market in New Mexico.
Residents pay $0.12 per kWh of electricity, which ranks No. 9 among New Mexico markets.
2. Clovis
The 88101 zip code is the 2nd-cheapest place to live in New Mexico.
🔎 Key data about Clovis
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 56 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 90.8 | No. 2 | N/A |
| Median home value | $161,584[8] | No. 4 | -$166,313.46 |
| Home affordability ratio | 2.9 | No. 4 | -2.0 |
| Home value five-year change | 8.2%[9] | No. 4 | -21.7% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -2.3%[10] | No. 9 | -2.5% |
| Rental costs | $1,255[11] | No. 9 | -$285 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 2.22% | No. 19 | 0.0% |
| Median household income | $56,587[12] | No. 39 | -$11,617 |
| Property taxes | $1,065[13] | No. 9 | -$890 |
| Energy costs | $0.12 kWh[14] | No. 9 | -$0.02 |
Clovis's 88101 zip code has a median home value of $161,584, which is the 9th-cheapest housing market in New Mexico. You can rent for an average of $1,255 per month. That's the 9th-cheapest price in the state.
The average household income in the zip code is $56,587, which ranks 39th-highest in the state.
Homeowners in Clovis pay a median property tax of $1,065 per year, making it the 9th-most affordable market in New Mexico.
Clovis ranks No. 9 among New Mexico energy markets. You'll pay $0.12 per kWh of electricity.
3. Lovington
The 3rd-cheapest place to live in New Mexico is Lovington's 88260 zip code.
🔎 Key data about Lovington
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 56 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 87.9 | No. 3 | N/A |
| Median home value | $177,713[15] | No. 6 | -$150,184.71 |
| Home affordability ratio | 2.4 | No. 1 | -2.5 |
| Home value five-year change | 29.9%[16] | No. 18 | 0.0% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -7.9%[17] | No. 1 | -8.1% |
| Rental costs | $1,540[18] | No. 21 | $0 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 2.26% | No. 20 | 0.0% |
| Median household income | $75,476[19] | No. 18 | $7,272 |
| Property taxes | $947[20] | No. 7 | -$1,008 |
| Energy costs | $0.10 kWh[21] | No. 7 | -$0.04 |
The No. 6 cheapest housing market in New Mexico is Lovington's 88260 zip code, with a median home value of $177,713. Rents in the market average $1,540 per month, making it the 21st-most affordable rental market in the state.
The median property tax for households in Lovington is $947, which makes it the 7th-cheapest place in New Mexico. Lovington ranks No. 7 among New Mexico markets by energy costs. Residents pay $0.10 per kWh of electricity.
4. Hobbs
The 88240 zip code in Hobbs comes in at No. 4 on our list of the cheapest places to live in New Mexico.
🔎 Key data about Hobbs
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 56 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 86.7 | No. 4 | N/A |
| Median home value | $191,228[22] | No. 7 | -$136,669.44 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.0 | No. 5 | -1.8 |
| Home value five-year change | 29.9%[23] | No. 18 | 0.0% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -7.1%[24] | No. 2 | -7.3% |
| Rental costs | $1,337[25] | No. 12 | -$203 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 2.11% | No. 16 | -0.1% |
| Median household income | $63,270[26] | No. 27 | -$4,934 |
| Property taxes | $908[27] | No. 5 | -$1,047 |
| Energy costs | $0.10 kWh[28] | No. 7 | -$0.04 |
The No. 7 cheapest housing market in New Mexico is Hobbs's 88240 zip code, where the median home value is $191,228. Renters here pay an average of $1,337 per month.
When it comes to energy costs, Hobbs ranks 7th among New Mexico markets. Residents pay $0.10 per kWh of electricity.
The median property tax for households in the zip code is $908, which makes it the 5th-cheapest market in New Mexico.
5. Roswell
The 88203 zip code in Roswell ranks No. 5 among New Mexico's most affordable places to live.
🔎 Key data about Roswell
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 56 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 84.3 | No. 5 | N/A |
| Median home value | $141,993[29] | No. 1 | -$185,905.31 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.4 | No. 8 | -1.4 |
| Home value five-year change | 4.6%[30] | No. 2 | -25.3% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -3.4%[31] | No. 3 | -3.6% |
| Rental costs | $1,540[32] | No. 21 | $0 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 2.26% | No. 20 | 0.0% |
| Median household income | $42,207[33] | No. 53 | -$25,997 |
| Property taxes | $743[34] | No. 4 | -$1,212 |
| Energy costs | $0.13 kWh[35] | No. 12 | -$0.02 |
Roswell's 88203 zip code has a median home value of $141,993, the 1st-cheapest market in the state. Forecasts project a -3.4% change in home values in the next year.
The median property tax per household in Roswell is $743. It's the 4th-cheapest market by tax rate in New Mexico.
6. Carlsbad
The No. 6 most affordable place to live in New Mexico is the 88220 zip code.
🔎 Key data about Carlsbad
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 56 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 79.0 | No. 6 | N/A |
| Median home value | $251,237[36] | No. 19 | -$76,660.41 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.2 | No. 7 | -1.6 |
| Home value five-year change | 29.9%[37] | No. 18 | 0.0% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -3.0%[38] | No. 6 | -3.2% |
| Rental costs | $1,653[39] | No. 45 | $112 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 2.11% | No. 17 | -0.1% |
| Median household income | $78,162[40] | No. 16 | $9,958 |
| Property taxes | $1,103[41] | No. 11 | -$852 |
| Energy costs | $0.14 kWh[42] | No. 16 | $0.00 |
The back half of our top 10 kicks off with Carlsbad's 88220 zip code, which has the 19th-cheapest home values in New Mexico. The median home value is $251,237. Rents average $1,653 per month, making it the 45th-most affordable rental market in the state.
Residents pay $0.14 per kWh of electricity. It's the 16th-cheapest energy market.
7. Grants
Grants's 87020 zip code is the 7th-cheapest place to live in New Mexico.
🔎 Key data about Grants
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 56 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 78.5 | No. 7 | N/A |
| Median home value | $154,611[43] | No. 3 | -$173,286.60 |
| Home affordability ratio | 2.5 | No. 2 | -2.3 |
| Home value five-year change | 28.9%[44] | No. 16 | -1.1% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 0.4%[45] | No. 21 | 0.2% |
| Rental costs | $1,540[46] | No. 21 | $0 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 2.26% | No. 20 | 0.0% |
| Median household income | $62,746[47] | No. 28 | -$5,458 |
| Property taxes | $1,197[48] | No. 18 | -$758 |
| Energy costs | $0.16 kWh[49] | No. 53 | $0.02 |
You'll find the 3rd-cheapest home values in New Mexico in Grants's 87020 zip code. The median value: $154,611. Renters in Grants pay an average of $1,540 per month.
Homeowners in Grants pay a median property tax of $1,197 per year, which is New Mexico's 18th-most affordable market.
The average household income is $62,746, which ranks 28th-highest in the state.
8. Artesia
The 8th-cheapest place to live in New Mexico is Artesia's 88210 zip code.
🔎 Key data about Artesia
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 56 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 73.7 | No. 8 | N/A |
| Median home value | $242,777[50] | No. 16 | -$85,120.98 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.0 | No. 6 | -1.8 |
| Home value five-year change | 1.4%[51] | No. 1 | -28.5% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -3.1%[52] | No. 5 | -3.3% |
| Rental costs | $2,714[53] | No. 56 | $1,174 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 3.41% | No. 56 | 1.2% |
| Median household income | $79,632[54] | No. 12 | $11,428 |
| Property taxes | $1,178[55] | No. 16 | -$777 |
| Energy costs | $0.14 kWh[56] | No. 16 | $0.00 |
The 16th-cheapest housing market in New Mexico is Artesia's 88210 zip code, with a median home value of $242,777. Renters pay an average of $2,714 per month, the No. 56 rental market in the state.
The median property tax for households in Artesia is $1,178, which makes it the 16th-cheapest place in New Mexico. The average household income of $79,632 ranks 12th.
9. Gallup
Gallup's 87301 zip code sneaks into the top ten of New Mexico's most affordable places to live.
🔎 Key data about Gallup
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 56 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 72.3 | No. 9 | N/A |
| Median home value | $222,740[57] | No. 11 | -$105,157.91 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.8 | No. 10 | -1.0 |
| Home value five-year change | 15.0%[58] | No. 5 | -14.9% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -1.3%[59] | No. 11 | -1.5% |
| Rental costs | $1,540[60] | No. 21 | $0 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 2.26% | No. 20 | 0.0% |
| Median household income | $58,772[61] | No. 35 | -$9,432 |
| Property taxes | $1,715[62] | No. 34 | -$240 |
| Energy costs | $0.16 kWh[63] | No. 53 | $0.02 |
The 11th-cheapest housing market in New Mexico is Gallup's 87301 zip code, where the median home value is $222,740. Renters pay an average of $1,540 per month. It's the state's 21st-cheapest rental market.
The median property tax for households within the zip code is $1,715, which makes it the 34th-cheapest property tax rate in New Mexico.
10. Deming
The final spot on our list of the most affordable places to live in New Mexico goes to the 88030 zip code in Deming.
🔎 Key data about Deming
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 56 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 70.5 | No. 10 | N/A |
| Median home value | $163,701[64] | No. 5 | -$164,196.41 |
| Home affordability ratio | 4.4 | No. 20 | -0.4 |
| Home value five-year change | 16.1%[65] | No. 6 | -13.8% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -1.2%[66] | No. 12 | -1.4% |
| Rental costs | $1,540[67] | No. 21 | $0 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 2.26% | No. 20 | 0.0% |
| Median household income | $37,417[68] | No. 55 | -$30,787 |
| Property taxes | $703[69] | No. 3 | -$1,252 |
| Energy costs | $0.13 kWh[70] | No. 13 | -$0.02 |
The 5th-most affordable market in New Mexico is Deming's 88030 zip code. The median home value is $163,701. Rent in the market costs $1,540 per month on average, making it the 21st-most affordable rental market in New Mexico.
The median property tax for households in Deming is $703, which is the 3rd-cheapest property tax rate in the state.
Deming ranks No. 13 among New Mexico markets by energy costs, with households paying $0.13 per kWh of electricity.
How we ranked the most affordable places in New Mexico
We evaluated 56 zip codes in New Mexico with a population over 10,000 on nine metrics. We then assigned each market an Affordability Score based on its weighted and combined rankings.
Our proprietary Affordability Score is a score on a scale of 0 (worst in state) to 100 (best in state) that estimates the affordability of a particular zip code. It takes into account these key data points for each zip code.
- Median home value: The median home value for each zip code comes from the Zillow Home Value Index. The lower the median home value relative to the median value in New Mexico, the higher our score on this component. We assign a weight of 13.0% to median home value.
- Home affordability ratio. The home affordability ratio is the typical median home value divided by the median household income in the zip code, which reveals the number of years of household income needed to afford a home in that zip code. A lower ratio is better because it means more households can afford a home. The data comes from the Zillow Observed Rent Index and the U.S. Census American Community Survey. We assign a weight of 28.0% to the home affordability ratio.
- Home value five-year change: The home value five-year change is the amount that the median home value in the zip code has risen or fallen during the last five years. Our data comes from the Zillow Home Value Index. We assign a weight of 10.0% to the home value five-year change.
- Home value one-year forecast: The home value one-year forecast comes from Zillow Forecast data. It projects how much home values in the zip code are forecasted to change in the next year. We assign a weight of 8.0% to the home value one-year forecast.
- Rental costs. The rental costs are the observed rents in the zip code, sourced from the Zillow Observed Rent Index. The index includes "listed rents that fall into the 40th to 60th percentile range for all homes and apartments in a given region." We assign a weight of 7.0% to rental costs.
- Median household income: The inflation-adjusted median household income figures for the zip code comes from the U.S. Census American Community Survey. We assign a weight of 5.0% to median household income.
- Rent affordability ratio. The rent affordability ratio is the ratio of rental costs divided by median household income, which provides the percentage of household income needed to pay a typical month’s rent in the zip code. The data comes from the Zillow Observed Rent Index and the U.S. Census American Community Survey. We assign a weight of 17.0% to the rent affordability ratio.
- Property taxes: The property tax figures are the median real estate taxes paid in the zip code, sourced from the U.S. Census American Community Survey. The lower the property tax rate relative to the New Mexico average, the higher our score on this component. We assign a weight of 8.0% to property taxes.
- Energy costs: The energy costs are the costs of a kilowatt hour (kWh) of residential electricity in the zip code, sourced from the U.S. Department of Energy. The lower the cost of electricity relative to the New Mexico average, the higher our score on this component. We assign a weight of 4.0% to energy costs.
✍️ Editor’s note: Our Affordability Score identifies the most affordable places in a state by zip code. Often the zip code we identify will represent an entire city or portion of a city.
Occasionally the zip code we identify will encompass an area that includes one or more small towns. In these cases, the data we’ve gathered applies to the entire zip code, not just the single town we’re using to help identify the zip code's location.
If you’re looking to move to one of these affordable places, we recommend doing additional research to make sure the costs in the area — and the quality of life it offers — meet your specific needs.
