What is it about New Mexico that makes over 2 million people–700,000 families happy to call it home? We’ll tell you, point blank, it has some of the best places to raise a family.
If you and your family already live in New Mexico, consider yourself lucky. But if you’re thinking about moving your family to this southwestern paradise, we suggest you take a look at HomeSnacks list of best places to raise your family in New Mexico for 2024. How did we determine New Mexico’s most family friendly places? We consulted the US Census on places in New Mexico with more than 5,000 residents. We looked at several factors: crime, education, family friendly activities, and the percent of households that currently have children. We ended up with 32 family friendly places. This is also our second time ranking New Mexico’s most family friendly cities, so trust us when we say that any family would be lucky to call one these places home.
Why’d we do it? For many reasons. One, we wouldn’t want any family to miss out on Roswell’s family friendly UFO festival each year. Two, the state has ten Blue Ribbon schools and some of them can be found in New Mexico’s most family friendly places. And three, we wouldn’t want your family to get stuck in one of New Mexico’s most dangerous places-that would be ‘no bueno’! With the promise of sunshine 358 days per year you’d think that every city in New Mexico would have made the top 100 best cities in the country to raise a family. Surprisingly, that ‘s not the case, but their are some ‘real’ gems on New Mexico’s most family friendly list.
So, don’t wait one more second, scroll down to check out the places in New Mexico that scream family friendly. We promise you won’t be disappointed.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table
The 10 Best Cities To Raise A Family In New Mexico For 2024
When you choose to live in one of New Mexico’s best places for families, you are choosing to live where you can keep your family safe, happy, and healthy. And that makes perfect sense.
So, what’s the best place for families to live in New Mexico for 2024? Drum roll… the number one best place for families in The Land of Enchantment is Los Alamos based on the most recent Census data.
To see how your favorite places in New Mexico compared, take a look at the list below; and if you don’t see it there, head to the bottom.
More reading about New Mexico and the best places for families in the country:
- Best Places To Live In New Mexico
- Cheapest Places To Live In New Mexico
- Best Cities To Raise A Family In America
- Best States To Raise A Family In America
The 10 Best Places To Raise A Family In New Mexico For 2024
/10
Population: 13,460
Median Income: $130,342
Average Home Price: $521,013
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 46
Closest Major City: Albuquerque
Households with kids: 25.7%
More on Los Alamos: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 8,495
Median Income: $94,966
Average Home Price: $668,575
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 35
Closest Major City: Albuquerque
Households with kids: 17.6%
More on Corrales: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 9,177
Median Income: $55,631
Average Home Price: $159,642
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 51
Closest Major City: Albuquerque
Households with kids: 31.4%
More on Grants: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 6,113
Median Income: $70,568
Average Home Price: $348,936
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 55
Closest Major City: Albuquerque
Households with kids: 30.5%
More on Edgewood: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 17,452
Median Income: $68,934
Average Home Price: $298,049
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 61
Closest Major City: Albuquerque
Households with kids: 30.4%
More on Los Lunas: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 5,206
Median Income: $34,424
Average Home Price: $75,709
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 54
Closest Major City: Amarillo
Households with kids: 21.1%
More on Tucumcari: Data | Real Estate
/10
Population: 12,085
Median Income: $49,313
Average Home Price: $130,829
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 61
Closest Major City: Lubbock
Households with kids: 32.4%
More on Portales: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 104,351
Median Income: $78,978
Average Home Price: $328,616
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 57
Closest Major City: Albuquerque
Households with kids: 35.0%
More on Rio Rancho: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 30,996
Median Income: $50,721
Average Home Price: $200,708
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 62
Closest Major City: El Paso
Households with kids: 26.1%
More on Alamogordo: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 7,696
Median Income: $36,033
Average Home Price: $317,739
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 44
Closest Major City: El Paso
Households with kids: 22.2%
More on Ruidoso: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
Methodology: How do you determine which place is best for families in New Mexico anyways?
To give you the places in New Mexico that are best for families, we must look at a handful of metrics. We want to measure the criteria people want in a family-friendly city utilizing Saturday Night Science.
After researching U.S. Census data produced for the state of New Mexico, we looked at the data for every single city in the state. We paid particular attention to:
- Crime (Both violent and property)
- Quality of local schools
- Distance to a major city without necessarily being in it
- % of households with children
- Family-friendly amenities nearby (museums, libraries, and colleges)
We then gave each city a “Family Score.”
The higher the score, the better the city is for families. We also limited our results to cities with over 5,000 people. For New Mexico, that meant a total of 32 cities.
We updated this article for 2024. This is our tenth time ranking the best cities for families in New Mexico.
Summary: The Best Places To Raise A Family In New Mexico
If you’re looking for a breakdown of cities in New Mexico ranked by criteria that most agree make a place a great spot for families, this is an accurate list.
The best places for families in New Mexico are Los Alamos, Corrales, Grants, Edgewood, Los Lunas, Tucumcari, Portales, Rio Rancho, Alamogordo, and Ruidoso.
Here’s a look at the best cities for singles New Mexico according to the data:
- Deming
- Truth or Consequences
- Roswell
For more New Mexico reading, check out:
- Best Places To Live In New Mexico
- Cheapest Places To Live In New Mexico
- Worst Places To Live In New Mexico
Best Places For Families In New Mexico
| Rank | City | Population | Median Income | Average Home Price | Amenities Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Alamos, NM | 13,460 | $130,342 | $521,013 | 62 |
| 2 | Corrales, NM | 8,495 | $94,966 | $668,575 | 40 |
| 3 | Grants, NM | 9,177 | $55,631 | $159,642 | 54 |
| 4 | Edgewood, NM | 6,113 | $70,568 | $348,936 | 58 |
| 5 | Los Lunas, NM | 17,452 | $68,934 | $298,049 | 38 |
| 6 | Tucumcari, NM | 5,206 | $34,424 | $75,709 | 62 |
| 7 | Portales, NM | 12,085 | $49,313 | $130,829 | 52 |
| 8 | Rio Rancho, NM | 104,351 | $78,978 | $328,616 | 53 |
| 9 | Alamogordo, NM | 30,996 | $50,721 | $200,708 | 68 |
| 10 | Ruidoso, NM | 7,696 | $36,033 | $317,739 | 49 |