#1Los Alamos
Los Alamos County (city and county) · 13,317 peopleStrongest: health A+, schools A+·lowest: walkability B
ACost–SafetyA+SchoolsA+HealthAJobsBWalkA−Hazards
Los Alamos, #1 on this list · Bayo Road · Photo: Clyde Charles Brown · CC BY-SA 4.0New Mexico rankings · 2026
Best places to live in New Mexico
Los Alamos ranks first of New Mexico’s 72 graded towns, with an A+: health (A+) and schools (A+) are its strongest grades; walkability (B) is its lowest. 2 of the 72 (3%) grade A− or better nationally, against 25% of U.S. towns.
The overall grade, sorted: cost of living, safety, schools, health, jobs & income, walkability and hazard risk, from Census, FBI, state, CDC, EPA and FEMA data. How grades work
#1A+
#2White Rock
Los Alamos County (city and county) · 5,716 peopleStrongest: health A+, schools A+·lowest: walkability C
ACost–SafetyA+SchoolsA+HealthAJobsCWalkBHazards
#3Rio Rancho
Sandoval County · 114,419 peopleStrongest: hazard risk A, schools A·lowest: cost of living C
CCostCSafetyASchoolsA−HealthB+JobsB+WalkAHazards
Where they are: Three of the top 10 are in Santa Fe County. The top small town (2,500–9,999 residents) is White Rock, #2 overall.
All 72 towns
Overall score, highest first. The score (0–100) blends the seven livability grades and sets the order; the letter places that score among every U.S. town of 2,500+, and A+ is the top 5%, so neighbors on the list often share a letter. Each town links to its page, where the grade sheet shows every subject.
72 towns ranked. Not here? See why a town may be missing.
#TownScoreGradeWhat drives it
1Los AlamosLos Alamos County (city and county) · 13,317 people89.7top 0.1%A+Strongest: health A+, schools A+·lowest: walkability B
2White RockLos Alamos County (city and county) · 5,716 people83.9top 0.1%A+Strongest: health A+, schools A+·lowest: walkability C
3Rio RanchoSandoval County · 114,419 people57.9top 35.1%BStrongest: hazard risk A, schools A·lowest: cost of living C
4La Cienegaunincorporated, Santa Fe County · 3,543 people54.4top 44.3%BStrongest: health A, jobs & income B·lowest: cost of living C+
5CorralesSandoval County · 8,484 people54.0top 45.5%B−Strongest: health A−, safety A−·lowest: cost of living C−
6El Cerrounincorporated, Valencia County · 2,923 people53.1top 47.9%B−Strongest: cost of living B+, jobs & income B+·lowest: hazard risk D
7ClaytonUnion County · 2,510 people52.4top 50.0%B−Strongest: schools A−, walkability A−·lowest: jobs & income D−
8Kirtland AFBunincorporated, Bernalillo County · 3,413 people52.2bottom 49.3%B−Strongest: hazard risk A+, walkability A·lowest: cost of living D−
9Eldorado at Santa Feunincorporated, Santa Fe County · 5,619 people51.8bottom 48.3%B−Strongest: health A, jobs & income B+·lowest: cost of living C−
10EdgewoodSanta Fe County · 6,157 people51.5bottom 47.5%B−Strongest: health B+, cost of living B+·lowest: safety C
11Bosque FarmsValencia County · 4,174 people50.8bottom 45.9%B−Strongest: safety B+, cost of living B·lowest: hazard risk D
12Paradise Hillsunincorporated, Bernalillo County · 4,591 people50.6bottom 45.1%B−Strongest: hazard risk A−, walkability B·lowest: schools C+
13Sandia Heightsunincorporated, Bernalillo County · 3,160 people49.6bottom 42.3%C+Strongest: health A+, jobs & income A·lowest: walkability D
14Los Ranchos de AlbuquerqueBernalillo County · 5,790 people47.9bottom 37.5%C+Strongest: jobs & income A−, health B+·lowest: cost of living D
15PeraltaValencia County · 3,499 people47.3bottom 36.2%C+Strongest: jobs & income B, health B·lowest: hazard risk D
16Agua Friaunincorporated, Santa Fe County · 2,898 people47.2bottom 35.8%C+Strongest: hazard risk A, cost of living B·lowest: jobs & income C−
17Placitasunincorporated, Sandoval County · 4,223 people45.9bottom 32.7%CStrongest: jobs & income A−, health A−·lowest: cost of living C−
18Santa RosaGuadalupe County · 2,802 people44.7bottom 29.5%CStrongest: cost of living A−, schools B·lowest: hazard risk D
19AnthonyDoña Ana County · 8,900 people44.7bottom 29.5%CStrongest: hazard risk A, cost of living A−·lowest: health D−
20South Valleyunincorporated, Bernalillo County · 37,120 people44.1bottom 28.1%CStrongest: walkability B+, cost of living B·lowest: health C
21Crouch Mesaunincorporated, San Juan County · 4,812 people44.0bottom 27.8%CStrongest: cost of living A−, schools B·lowest: walkability D
22Santa FeSanta Fe County · 89,837 people43.5bottom 26.7%CStrongest: walkability A, hazard risk A·lowest: safety D−
23CarlsbadEddy County · 32,524 people43.1bottom 25.5%CStrongest: cost of living A−, walkability B·lowest: hazard risk D
24North Hobbsunincorporated, Lea County · 6,034 people42.9bottom 25.1%CStrongest: schools B, cost of living B−·lowest: hazard risk D−
25PortalesRoosevelt County · 11,734 people42.6bottom 24.5%C−Strongest: walkability A−, schools B+·lowest: hazard risk D−
26ArtesiaEddy County · 12,735 people42.3bottom 23.8%C−Strongest: schools B+, cost of living B·lowest: hazard risk C−
27LovingtonLea County · 11,620 people41.8bottom 22.9%C−Strongest: cost of living B+, schools B·lowest: jobs & income D
28Vadounincorporated, Doña Ana County · 2,895 people41.7bottom 22.6%C−Strongest: cost of living A, schools B·lowest: health D−
29North Valleyunincorporated, Bernalillo County · 10,455 people41.6bottom 22.5%C−Strongest: walkability B, health B−·lowest: hazard risk C−
30Silver CityGrant County · 9,284 people41.4bottom 21.9%C−Strongest: walkability A, schools B+·lowest: jobs & income D−
31Holloman AFBunincorporated, Otero County · 4,433 people41.1bottom 21.2%C−Strongest: health B+, schools B+·lowest: cost of living D−
32Sunland ParkDoña Ana County · 18,268 people41.1bottom 21.2%C−Strongest: schools B, walkability B·lowest: health D
33RatonColfax County · 5,952 people40.8bottom 20.7%C−Strongest: cost of living B+, walkability B−·lowest: jobs & income C−
34BernalilloSandoval County · 9,159 people40.4bottom 19.9%C−Strongest: walkability A−, cost of living A−·lowest: hazard risk C−
35Chaparralunincorporated, Doña Ana County · 18,186 people39.9bottom 18.9%C−Strongest: cost of living A−, schools B·lowest: walkability D
36Santa Teresaunincorporated, Doña Ana County · 6,041 people39.8bottom 18.6%C−Strongest: hazard risk A−, schools B·lowest: walkability D
37ClovisCurry County · 37,127 people39.7bottom 18.4%C−Strongest: hazard risk A−, schools B·lowest: jobs & income D
38HobbsLea County · 40,863 people39.7bottom 18.4%C−Strongest: walkability B+, cost of living B·lowest: safety D−
39AlamogordoOtero County · 31,906 people39.6bottom 18.3%C−Strongest: schools B+, cost of living B−·lowest: jobs & income D
40FarmingtonSan Juan County · 46,055 people39.2bottom 17.6%C−Strongest: walkability A−, hazard risk B·lowest: safety D
41Crownpointunincorporated, McKinley County · 2,882 people39.2bottom 17.6%C−Strongest: hazard risk A−, cost of living A−·lowest: jobs & income D−
42Los Chavesunincorporated, Valencia County · 4,838 people39.1bottom 17.3%C−Strongest: cost of living B, jobs & income B−·lowest: hazard risk D
43Ranchos de Taosunincorporated, Taos County · 2,536 people39.1bottom 17.2%C−Strongest: health B−, cost of living C+·lowest: hazard risk D
44AlbuquerqueBernalillo County · 556,588 people38.9bottom 16.8%C−Strongest: walkability A, hazard risk B+·lowest: safety D−
45RuidosoLincoln County · 7,580 people38.8bottom 16.7%C−Strongest: walkability B+, schools B·lowest: hazard risk D
46TucumcariQuay County · 5,082 people38.8bottom 16.6%C−Strongest: walkability A−, cost of living B·lowest: jobs & income D−
47EuniceLea County · 3,037 people38.3bottom 15.7%C−Strongest: cost of living A+, hazard risk B·lowest: health D
48Meadow Lakeunincorporated, Valencia County · 4,259 people38.1bottom 15.4%C−Strongest: cost of living A, schools B−·lowest: walkability D−
49DemingLuna County · 14,944 people37.6bottom 14.5%DStrongest: walkability A−, hazard risk B·lowest: health D
50SocorroSocorro County · 8,261 people37.3bottom 14.1%DStrongest: walkability A, schools B−·lowest: hazard risk D−
51AztecSan Juan County · 6,091 people37.3bottom 14.0%DStrongest: walkability A−, cost of living B·lowest: jobs & income D
52El Cerro Missionunincorporated, Valencia County · 5,323 people36.8bottom 13.2%DStrongest: cost of living A, schools B−·lowest: walkability D−
53Los LunasValencia County · 20,572 people36.6bottom 12.9%DStrongest: walkability B+, health B−·lowest: safety D
54La Mesillaunincorporated, Rio Arriba County · 2,697 people35.6bottom 11.4%DStrongest: jobs & income B, cost of living C+·lowest: hazard risk D
55Flora Vistaunincorporated, San Juan County · 2,770 people35.4bottom 11.1%DStrongest: schools B, health C+·lowest: walkability D
56Las CrucesDoña Ana County · 116,978 people35.0bottom 10.6%DStrongest: walkability A−, hazard risk B·lowest: safety D−
57GrantsCibola County · 8,933 people33.5bottom 8.7%DStrongest: walkability A−, cost of living B−·lowest: jobs & income D−
58Ruidoso DownsLincoln County · 2,588 people33.4bottom 8.6%DStrongest: schools B, health C+·lowest: hazard risk D−
59EspañolaRio Arriba County · 10,458 people33.0bottom 8.1%DStrongest: cost of living B, walkability B−·lowest: hazard risk D
60Lee Acresunincorporated, San Juan County · 4,272 people32.9bottom 8.1%DStrongest: schools B, hazard risk C+·lowest: jobs & income D−
61Shiprockunincorporated, San Juan County · 7,610 people32.9bottom 8.0%DStrongest: cost of living A−, walkability B+·lowest: jobs & income D−
62Truth or ConsequencesSierra County · 5,949 people32.9bottom 8.0%DStrongest: walkability B+, cost of living B−·lowest: hazard risk D
63Zuni Pueblounincorporated, McKinley County · 5,864 people32.6bottom 7.6%DStrongest: cost of living A+, walkability C·lowest: jobs & income D−
64BelenValencia County · 7,589 people32.0bottom 7.0%DStrongest: walkability A−, cost of living B+·lowest: safety D−
65Dulceunincorporated, Rio Arriba County · 3,218 people31.9bottom 6.8%DStrongest: cost of living A+, walkability C+·lowest: jobs & income D−
66TaosTaos County · 6,526 people31.5bottom 6.3%DStrongest: walkability A, health B−·lowest: safety D−
67BloomfieldSan Juan County · 7,335 people30.6bottom 5.5%DStrongest: walkability A−, cost of living C+·lowest: jobs & income D
68Rio CommunitiesValencia County · 4,953 people29.7bottom 4.6%D−Strongest: cost of living B−, health C+·lowest: walkability D
69Las VegasSan Miguel County · 12,574 people29.3bottom 4.2%D−Strongest: walkability B+, cost of living C+·lowest: jobs & income D
70RoswellChaves County · 46,878 people28.9bottom 3.9%D−Strongest: walkability B+, cost of living B−·lowest: safety D
71TularosaOtero County · 2,662 people28.9bottom 3.9%D−Strongest: cost of living B+, walkability C−·lowest: jobs & income D−
72GallupMcKinley County · 19,969 people24.3bottom 1.4%D−Strongest: hazard risk A−, walkability A−·lowest: safety D−
Method
How this list is made
Each town’s overall grade blends seven livability grades: cost of living (weight 18), safety (18), schools (16), health (14), jobs & income (12), walkability (8) and hazard risk (4). A town needs 2,500+ residents and three of the first four. Letters are national, so an A here means the same as an A in any state; the list is the same towns in the same order, ranked within New Mexico. Towns without their own FBI figures are graded on the rest and their page says why.
Data years: crime 2023–2025 (FBI), Census ACS 2020–2024, CDC PLACES 2025, state school tests. How grades work
Quick answers
Questions people ask
What is the best place to live in New Mexico?
Los Alamos (Los Alamos County) ranks first of 72 graded towns, with an A+; health (A+) and schools (A+) are its strongest grades; walkability (B) is its lowest. White Rock and Rio Rancho follow.
What is the best small town in New Mexico?
Among towns of 2,500 to 9,999 residents, White Rock ranks first (A+), then La Cienega and Corrales.
How are these towns ranked?
By the overall grade, which blends seven livability grades from public data. The letter is national; the rank is within New Mexico. The full method is on How grades work.
Why isn’t my town on this list?
The list covers towns of 2,500+ residents with an overall grade (72 in New Mexico). 88 smaller places have subject grades only; 1 town of 2,500+ lack enough data for a grade; Every town is on the New Mexico page.
Go deeper
All New Mexico rankings →More New Mexico lists
Every list ranks the same 2,500+ towns, so a town’s rank means the same thing on each.
Best small towns49 towns · #1 White RockMost affordable towns72 towns · #1 DulceSafest towns29 towns · #1 CorralesTowns with the best schools73 towns · #1 Los Alamos and White RockHealthiest towns73 towns · #1 White RockBest towns for jobs & income72 towns · #1 Sandia HeightsMost walkable towns73 towns · #1 Santa FeTowns with the lowest natural-hazard risk73 towns · #1 University ParkBest towns for the outdoors73 towns · #1 White RockMost historic towns73 towns · #1 Las VegasTowns with the most civic life46 towns · #1 TaosTowns with the least snow69 towns · #1 DemingDescribed, no lettersSnowiest towns69 towns · #1 DulceDescribed, no lettersTowns with the mildest winters72 towns · #1 Santa TeresaDescribed, no lettersTowns with the hottest summers72 towns · #1 CarlsbadDescribed, no lettersTowns with the coolest summers72 towns · #1 RuidosoDescribed, no lettersTowns with the highest incomes72 towns · #1 White RockDescribed, no lettersTowns with the lowest property taxes65 towns · #1 VadoDescribed, no lettersFastest-growing towns43 towns · #1 Los LunasDescribed, no lettersTowns with the most-used libraries36 towns · #1 TaosDescribed, no letters
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