Carlsbad 70 Good
Carlsbad Livability #18 ranked city in New Mexico#7,351 ranked city in the USARanks better than 74% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in Carlsbad

PROS
  • Cost Of Living

    The overall cost of living in this area is much lower than average. This includes everyday goods and services, as well as housing, utilities and health care.

  • Employment

    The combination of higher than average median home income, income per capita and low unemployment rates results in a score that is well above average in the employment category.

  • Housing

    This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.

CONS
  • Amenities

    A majority of amenities are not ideally situated within a reasonable walking distance, which may lead residents to rely on a vehicle or public transportation.

  • Crime

    This area is reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people and could signify that it is a dangerous place to live. Crime rates include both violent and property crimes.

  • Ratings

    AreaVibes conducted surveys and polls with locals who live in the area. The results were not favorable for walkability of amenities, parks, public transit and the overall sense of community in the area.

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What's it like Living in Carlsbad?

Carlsbad is a medium-sized city located in the state of New Mexico. The city has a population of 29,278 residents. According to the most recent Census, 80% of Carlsbad residents are White, 2% Black and 1% Asian. Additionally, more than a quarter of the population of Carlsbad are of Hispanic or Latino origin, and 21% of the population also speak Spanish. Not a fan of sitting in traffic during your commute to work? Carlsbad offers shorter work commutes, with an average one-way commute time taking only 21 minutes, far lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

Without the right tools, moving to any new city can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Carlsbad, New Mexico could be a good experience for anyone who puts in the time to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. To help you find the best places to live in and around Carlsbad, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like commute, health & safety, education, employment and more.

Using data and statistics Carlsbad has received a livability score of 69 out of 100. This score is ranked in the 75th percentile when compared to all other cities. For each of the livability categories, we see that Carlsbad ranks very well for cost of living (A+), employment (A-) and housing (A+). On a less positive note, Carlsbad does not have favorable ranks for the following: amenities (F), crime (D-) and education (D-). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.

Unemployment rates can range pretty dramatically from one city to another. Knowing that Carlsbad has an unemployment rate of 1.85% could mean increased job opportunities with a higher demand for workers. It could also lead to higher wages, as the demand for workers exceeds the availability of jobs. Most importantly, it could be a sign of a healthy and thriving local economy.

A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Carlsbad has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.

Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Carlsbad. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in Carlsbad are affordable. Median real estate prices in Carlsbad come in at $150,300, which is 7% lower than the New Mexico average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Carlsbad, the home price to income ratio is 2.2, which is 37.1% lower than the New Mexico average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Carlsbad

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Carlsbad?

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Compare Carlsbad, NM Livability

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      Carlsbad transportation information

      Statistic Carlsbad New Mexico National
      Average one way commute21min22min26min
      Workers who drive to work82.6%79.8%76.4%
      Workers who carpool12.1%10.1%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit1.0%1.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.1%0.7%0.6%
      Workers who walk0.3%2.2%2.8%
      Working from home3.2%4.7%4.6%
      Source: The Carlsbad, NM data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).