Living in Capitan, New Mexico
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Capitan · Census data 2020–2024
Capitan has 1,191 residents with a median age of 57.6. The median household income is $52,864 (17% lower than the New Mexico median), the median home value is $111,700.
Capitan is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Capitan at a glance
- Population
- 1,191
- Median age
- 57.6State: 39.4
- Median household income
- $52,864State: $64,059
- Median home value
- $111,700State: $248,100
- Homeowners
- 93.7%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 20.3%
- Average commute
- 28 min
Is Capitan a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 55% lower than the state median; a poverty rate of 14.4%.
Cons: Median household income 17% lower than the New Mexico median; an average commute of 28 minutes; unemployment of 6.5%.
The weather is best in May–June and August–September.
Cost of living in Capitan
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Capitan the median home value is $111,700, 66% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of — per month, which is 40.3% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,611 a month in housing costs.
Capitan median household income
The median household income in Capitan is $52,864 and the income per person is $41,409. 14.4% of residents live below the poverty line (New Mexico: 17.8%).
Housing in Capitan: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 770
- Owner-occupied
- 93.7%
- Renter-occupied
- 6.3%
- Vacant
- 23.9%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1987
- Average household size
- 2.02
Capitan demographics
- Population
- 1,191
- Median age
- 57.6
- Under 18
- 21.6%
- 65 and older
- 31.8%
- Households
- 586
- Foreign-born
- 1.6%
- Veterans
- 8.7%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Capitan ›
Education in Capitan
20.3% of adults 25 and older in Capitan have a bachelor's degree or higher (New Mexico: 31%), and 9.7% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Capitan
- Unemployment rate
- 6.5%State: 6%
- Average commute
- 28 minState: 24 min
- Work from home
- 3.6%
- Drive alone
- 89.2%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 1.4%
- Homes with broadband
- 74.1%
Capitan vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capitan | 1,191 | $52,864 | $111,700 | — |
| Ruidoso | 7,699 | $52,736 | $243,800 | $944 |
| Ruidoso Downs | 2,655 | $31,354 | $154,000 | $936 |
| Carrizozo | 854 | $27,344 | $84,700 | $611 |
| Mescalero | 832 | $24,313 | $43,300 | $260 |
| Tularosa | 2,597 | $52,375 | $150,600 | $1,081 |
More for people moving to Capitan
Capitan ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Capitan: FAQ
What is the median household income in Capitan, NM?
The median household income in Capitan is $52,864, 17% lower than the New Mexico median of $64,059 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Capitan?
The median home value in Capitan is $111,700, compared with $248,100 in New Mexico.
Is Capitan, NM a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 55% lower than the state median; a poverty rate of 14.4%. Minuses: median household income 17% lower than the New Mexico median; an average commute of 28 minutes; unemployment of 6.5%.
What is the median age in Capitan?
The median age in Capitan is 57.6 years (New Mexico: 39.4).
How long is the commute in Capitan?
The average commute to work in Capitan is 28 minutes; 3.6% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Capitan?
The unemployment rate in Capitan is 6.5% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Capitan?
20.3% of adults in Capitan have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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