Living in Carlsbad, New Mexico
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Carlsbad · Census data 2020–2024
Carlsbad has 31,746 residents with a median age of 36.7. The median household income is $72,306 (13% higher than the New Mexico median), the median home value is $200,000, the median rent is $1,236/month.
Carlsbad at a glance
- Population
- 31,746
- Median age
- 36.7State: 39.4
- Median household income
- $72,306State: $64,059
- Median home value
- $200,000State: $248,100
- Median rent
- $1,236/moState: $1,067
- Homeowners
- 70.2%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 19.2%
- Average commute
- 22 min
Is Carlsbad a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 13% higher than the New Mexico median; home values 19% lower than the state median; an average commute of 22 minutes; unemployment of 5.2%; a poverty rate of 13.8%.
The weather is best in March–April and October–November.
Cost of living in Carlsbad
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Carlsbad the median home value is $200,000, 40% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,236 per month, which is 26.7% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,514 a month in housing costs.
Carlsbad median household income
The median household income in Carlsbad is $72,306 and the income per person is $38,402. 13.8% of residents live below the poverty line (New Mexico: 17.8%).
Housing in Carlsbad: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 14,285
- Owner-occupied
- 70.2%
- Renter-occupied
- 29.8%
- Vacant
- 12.9%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1973
- Average household size
- 2.48
Carlsbad demographics
- Population
- 31,746
- Median age
- 36.7
- Under 18
- 23.8%
- 65 and older
- 15.9%
- Households
- 12,445
- Foreign-born
- 8.6%
- Veterans
- 6.6%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Carlsbad ›
Education in Carlsbad
19.2% of adults 25 and older in Carlsbad have a bachelor's degree or higher (New Mexico: 31%), and 7.8% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Carlsbad
- Unemployment rate
- 5.2%State: 6%
- Average commute
- 22 minState: 24 min
- Work from home
- 5.7%
- Drive alone
- 79.5%
- Public transit
- 0.3%
- Walk to work
- 1.3%
- Homes with broadband
- 85.3%
Carlsbad vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlsbad | 31,746 | $72,306 | $200,000 | $1,236 |
| Livingston Wheeler | 460 | $79,329 | $153,000 | — |
| La Huerta | 1,288 | $78,861 | $345,100 | — |
| Happy Valley | 845 | $62,215 | $200,000 | $1,115 |
| Loving | 1,357 | $43,884 | $171,600 | $1,327 |
| Atoka | 1,347 | $83,704 | $116,200 | $1,157 |
| Artesia | 12,576 | $74,915 | $229,400 | $1,288 |
| Lake Arthur | 478 | $76,429 | $116,100 | — |
More for people moving to Carlsbad
Carlsbad ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Carlsbad: FAQ
What is the median household income in Carlsbad, NM?
The median household income in Carlsbad is $72,306, 13% higher 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 Carlsbad?
The median home value in Carlsbad is $200,000, compared with $248,100 in New Mexico.
How much is rent in Carlsbad?
The median gross rent in Carlsbad is $1,236 per month, about 26.7% of household income.
Is Carlsbad, NM a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 13% higher than the New Mexico median; home values 19% lower than the state median; an average commute of 22 minutes; unemployment of 5.2%; a poverty rate of 13.8%.
What is the median age in Carlsbad?
The median age in Carlsbad is 36.7 years (New Mexico: 39.4).
How long is the commute in Carlsbad?
The average commute to work in Carlsbad is 22 minutes; 5.7% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Carlsbad?
The unemployment rate in Carlsbad is 5.2% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Carlsbad?
19.2% of adults in Carlsbad 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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