What are the top-rated small towns and suburbs in New Mexico?
Niche, an online data collection site that gathers and analyzes public data sets from the Department of Education, U.S. census and FBI, has ranked the best small towns and suburbs across the state to live in.
Whether you're considering a move or curious about the best places to live in New Mexico, this ranking could be helpful.
Here are Niche's top-rated places:
Top five rated suburbs in New Mexico
Los Alamos
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Los Alamos is known for its roles in scientific research as the home of Los Alamos National laboratory. This town of approximately 13,00 residents offers a high quality of life with a median household income of around $115,000 and a low crime rate. Located in the Jemez Mountains, the town offers excellent hiking trails and a close-knit community.
Los Alamos Rankings
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Public Schools: A+
White Rock
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White Rock, a community near Los Alamos, is known for its family-friendly atmosphere and scenic surroundings. Home to approximately 6,000 residents, White Rock offers peaceful lifestyle with a median household income if around $105,000 and excellent local schools. The town features easy access to the White Rock Canyon and numerous hiking and biking trails.
White Rock Rankings
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Public Schools: A+
Map of Sandia Heights
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Sandia Heights is an affluent neighborhood in Albuquerque known for its upscale homes and panoramic views of the Sandia mountains. With a population of around 5,000 residents, the area boasts a median household income of approximately $150,000. Sandia Heights offers access to numerous hiking trails and golf courses, while still being close to Albuquerque's amenities.
Sandia Heights Rankings
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Public Schools: A+
Map of Mesilla
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Mesilla is a historic village near Las Cruces known for its rich heritage and vibrant atmosphere. With a population of around 2,300 residents, Mesilla features a median household income of about $55,000. The village is celebrated for its well-preserved historic buildings, local festivals, and strong sense of community.
Mesilla Rankings
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Public Schools: B+
Map of Corrales
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Corrales is located just north of Albuquerque, known for its rural ambiance and artistic community. With a population of around 8,500 residents, Corrales has a median household income of approximately $95,000. The village is renowned for its views of the Sandia Mountains, expansive agricultural lands, and local arts scene. Residents enjoy a, small-town atmosphere with access to local galleries, farmers' markets, and cultural events.
Corrales Rankings
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Public Schools: A-
Best places to raise a family in New Mexico
1. Los Alamos
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Los Alamos is a town of 13,460 residents that offers a dense suburban feel and tons of parks and is known as being a safe area with great trails and wildlife. The public schools in Los Alamos are highly rated and many families live here. The median household income in Los Alamos is $130,342 and the median rent is $1,222.
Los Alamos
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2. White Rock
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White Rock is a smaller town in Los Alamos County with a population of 5,592. White Rock offers a rural feel, lots of parks, highly rated public schools, and is ranked #2 on Niche's best places to buy a house in New Mexico list. The median household income in White Rock is $144,661 and the median rent is $1,356.
White Rock
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3. Sandia Heights
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Sandia Heights is a suburb of Bernalillo County in Albuquerque known for having a rural feel, highly rated public schools, lots of beautiful parks and views, and being a great place for retirees and families. The population in Sandia Heights is just 3,205 and most residents own their homes. The median household income here is $151,991 and the median rent is $2,567.
Sandia Heights
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4. Nob Hill
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Described as having wonderful community, Nob Hill is a neighborhood in Albuquerque with an urban suburban mix feel. Nob Hill offers lots to do for young people and families including restaurants, coffee shops, and parks in the area. It’s known for being very fun and lively. The public schools here are above average and Nob Hill is listed as the best neighborhood to live in in Albuquerque. The median household income is $84,617 and the median rent is $1,219.
Nob Hill
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5. Eastside
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Eastside is a neighborhood in Bernalillo County in Albuquerque with high diversity and a unique feel with lots of places to visit, eat, and explore. Eastside offers a dense suburban feel and has highly rated public schools. The median household income is $83,334 and the median rent is $1,287. This neighborhood is described by several residents as being safer than other nearby areas.
Eastside
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6. Rio Rancho
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Rio Rancho is a suburb in Sandoval County with high diversity, a rural feel, lots of parks, and great housing opportunities for families and young professionals. The population of Rio Rancho is 104,351 and it is described by residents as being mostly peaceful and friendly. The median household income is $78,978 and the median rent is $1,357.
Rio Rancho
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7. Westside
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Westside is a neighborhood in Bernalillo County with a sparse suburban feel, lots of parks, families and young professionals, and highly rated public schools. Westside has a population of 132,492 and is described as being diverse and comfortable with a great community. The median household income is $79,567 and the median rent is $1,324.
Westside
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8. Artesia
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Artesia is a town in Eddy County with a sparse suburban feel, lots of families and great public schools. Artesia gives a comfortable small town feel and is described as having rich culture and diversity. The median household income is $75,389 and the median rent is $850.
Artesia
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9. Corrales
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Corrales is a suburb of Albuquerque in Sandoval County that offers a rural feel. There are lots of parks and public outdoor spaces in Corrales and the public schools are highly rated. Most residents own their own homes and in addition to families, there are also many retirees residing here.The median household income is $94,966 and the median rent is $1,201. Corrales is described as a nice and quiet place to live and is an "oasis" outside the city.
Corrales
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10. Downtown
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Downtown is a neighborhood in Albuquerque with lots of restaurants, coffeeshops, and parks for families. This neighborhood is in Bernalillo County, is known for being great for walking and biking, and is listed as one of the best neighborhoods to live in in Albuquerque. The median household income is $36,777 and the median rent is $819. The population is 10,278 and residents have positive things to say about living in Downtown.
Downtown
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Best places for families to live in Santa Fe County
Eldorado at Santa Fe
Edgewood
Pojoaque
Santa Fe
El Rancho
Best places to raise a family in and around Las Cruces
Mesilla
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Mesilla is a suburb of Las Cruces in Doña Ana County that has a population of 1,647. Mesilla offers a rural feel and is home to many young professionals and retirees. The median household income is $65,809 and the median rent is $916.
Mesilla
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San Ysidro
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San Ysidro is a suburb of Las Cruces in Doña Ana County and has a population of 2,205. San Ysidro offers a suburban rural mix feel and many young professionals and retirees reside here. The median rent is $847 and the median household income is $126,500.
San Ysidro
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Santa Teresa
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Santa Teresa is a suburb of El Paso in Doña Ana County with a population of 6,396. Santa Teresa offers a sparse suburban feel and many young professionals reside here. The median rent is $934 and the median household income is $58,320.
Santa Teresa
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Sunland Park
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Sunland Park is a suburb of El Paso in Doña Ana County with a population of 16,773. Sunland Park offers a suburban rural mix feel and there are lots of parks. The public schools are above average. The median rent is $718 and the median household income is $45,545.
Sunland Park
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Chaparral
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Chaparral is a town in Doña Ana County that offers a suburban rural mix feel and has many families residing there. The population is 15,290 and the public schools are above average. The median rent is $754 and the median household income is $44,219.
Chaparral
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Vado
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Vado is a town in Doña Ana County with a population of 3,386. Vado offers a suburban rural mix feel and has many retirees residing there. The public schools are above average. The median rent is $471 and the median household income $46,380.
Vado
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Anthony
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Anthony is a suburb of El Paso in Doña Ana County with a population of 8,708. Anthony has a suburban rural mix feel and the public schools are above average. The median rent is $591 and the median household income is $27,406.
Anthony
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Berino
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Berino is a suburb of El Paso in Doña Ana County with a population of 1,250. Berino offers a suburban rural mix feel and the public schools are above average. The median rent is $478 and the median household income is $26,477.
Berino
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Dońa Ana
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Dońa Ana is a suburb of Las Cruces that offers a suburban rural mix feel. There is a population of 1,344 and the public schools are above average. Many families live here. The median rent is $705 and the median household income is $26,223.
Dońa Ana
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San Pablo
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San Pablo is a suburb of Las Cruces with a population of 449. San Pablo offers a suburban rural mix feel and the public schools are above average. The median rent is $606 and the median household $50,717.
