The 5 best places to live in New Mexico, according to the 2026 U.S. News list

NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – This enchanting land is home to many charming towns. According to U.S. News & World Report’s list, these best towns are scattered across the state.

Check out the top five below.

• Las Cruces, home to New Mexico State University, is a small southern town.

  • Average commute time: 16 minutes

  • Median home value: $234,324

  • Median monthly rent: $852

  • Median household income: $56,746

• Duke City is New Mexico’s largest metropolitan area and has an abundance of restaurants, bars, and museums.

  • Average commute time: 19 minutes

  • Median home value: $303,411

  • Median monthly rent: $1,049

  • Median household income: $67,782

• Santa Fe is rich in history and has some of the oldest buildings in the state.

  • Average commute time: 17 minutes

  • Median home value: $477,520

  • Median monthly rent: $1,154

  • Median household income: $72,819

• A small town in the northwest tip of the state with ample opportunities for outdoor activities.

  • Average commute time: 14 minutes

  • Median home value: $228,996

  • Median monthly rent: $832

  • Median household income: $63,641

• Rio Rancho is a rapidly growing city that is part of the Albuquerque metropolitan area.

  • Average commute time: 30 minutes

  • Median home value: $310,408

  • Median monthly rent: $1,198

  • Median household income: $87,395

“U.S. News & World Report’s Best Places to Live rankings help readers make the most informed decisions when choosing where to settle. Cities in the rankings are evaluated using data from Applied Geographic Solutions (AGS) and U.S. News’ own internal resources. AGS develops core databases and professional indices derived from private and government sources, including the U.S. Census Bureau, Department of Commerce, Federal Reserve and Bureau of Economic Analysis, as well as state and local sources.”

Statistics and numbers from U.S. News.

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