Cost Of Living
Everyday cost of living expenses like goods and services, housing, groceries, transportation, health care and utilities are far below the national average.
Housing
Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.
Ratings
According to recent surveys and polls, locals had excellent ratings for walkability to nearby amenities, safety, access to public transit and the overall sense of community in the area.
Amenities
The majority of amenities will be difficult to reach within a short walk, often requiring residents to use a vehicle or public transportation for access.
Crime
Reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people, this area may be perceived as an unsafe place to reside. These statistics encompass both violent and property crime rates.
Health & Safety
Subpar air quality and the limited availability of certain health-related facilities such as hospitals, police stations, doctors and pharmacies may have contributed to the low score in this category.
Schools
The low schools score might be a result of factors like lower than average education levels, lackluster reading and math scores and the inaccessibility of local elementary and high schools.
Located in the state of New Mexico, South Valley is a mid-sized city with a population of 39,150 inhabitants. The majority of South Valley residents report their race to be White; this is followed by American Indian and Alaskan and Black. Additionally, more than a quarter of the population of South Valley are of Hispanic or Latino origin, and 50% of the population also speak Spanish. South Valley is very likely to be a great place to live for singles as only 49%, of the population (over fifteen) are classified as married. Long commute times to work can be incredibly frustrating, ranking just behind housework on the list of life's annoyances. If you opt to make South Valley your home, your one-way commute time will typically last around 25 minutes, a duration that aligns with the national average commute time of 26 minutes.
Whether you’re moving to a new city to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in South Valley could be a positive experience compared to other cities in New Mexico if you know where to look. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like amenities, crime, cost of living, health & safety, employment, you can easily compare the best places to live in South Valley and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare South Valley to New Mexico and the national average.
Using data and statistics South Valley has received a livability score of 58/100. This score is ranked in the 31st percentile when compared to all other cities. This score ranks well below the national average. With such a low livability score, it might be worth investigating a little further. If we probe a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that South Valley has higher than average scores for the following: cost of living (A+) and housing (B-). There is at least one category that did not score well in South Valley. The following was graded with a less than perfect score: amenities (F), crime (F), education (F) and employment (F).
For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their South Valley apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.
There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in South Valley is actually affordable. Median real estate prices in South Valley come in at $153,400, which is 5.1% lower than the New Mexico average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In South Valley, the home price to income ratio is 3.7, which is 5.7% higher than the New Mexico average.
| Statistic | South Valley | New Mexico | National |
| Average one way commute | 25min | 22min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 81.5% | 79.8% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 10.5% | 10.1% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 1.6% | 1.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.5% | 0.7% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 0.4% | 2.2% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 4.7% | 4.7% | 4.6% |
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