Living in Elephant Butte, New Mexico
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Elephant Butte · Census data 2020–2024
Elephant Butte has 1,790 residents with a median age of 62.7. The median household income is $53,482 (17% lower than the New Mexico median), the median home value is $176,800, the median rent is $1,089/month.
Elephant Butte at a glance
- Population
- 1,790
- Median age
- 62.7State: 39.4
- Median household income
- $53,482State: $64,059
- Median home value
- $176,800State: $248,100
- Median rent
- $1,089/moState: $1,067
- Homeowners
- 77.6%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 19%
- Average commute
- 12 min
Is Elephant Butte a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 29% lower than the state median; an average commute of 12 minutes; unemployment of 5.3%; a poverty rate of 10.7%.
Cons: Median household income 17% lower than the New Mexico median.
The weather is best in March to May and October.
Cost of living in Elephant Butte
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Elephant Butte the median home value is $176,800, 47% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,089 per month, which is 51% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,554 a month in housing costs.
Elephant Butte median household income
The median household income in Elephant Butte is $53,482 and the income per person is $33,162. 10.7% of residents live below the poverty line (New Mexico: 17.8%).
Housing in Elephant Butte: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 1,595
- Owner-occupied
- 77.6%
- Renter-occupied
- 22.4%
- Vacant
- 38.9%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1995
- Average household size
- 1.84
38.9% of homes are vacant most of the year, a sign that Elephant Butte has many vacation and second homes.
Elephant Butte demographics
- Population
- 1,790
- Median age
- 62.7
- Under 18
- 11.9%
- 65 and older
- 45.8%
- Households
- 975
- Foreign-born
- 2.5%
- Veterans
- 26.5%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Elephant Butte ›
Education in Elephant Butte
19% of adults 25 and older in Elephant Butte have a bachelor's degree or higher (New Mexico: 31%), and 4.6% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Elephant Butte
- Unemployment rate
- 5.3%State: 6%
- Average commute
- 12 minState: 24 min
- Work from home
- 6%
- Drive alone
- 86.8%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 0%
- Homes with broadband
- 75.1%
Elephant Butte vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elephant Butte | 1,790 | $53,482 | $176,800 | $1,089 |
| Truth or Consequences | 6,019 | $33,788 | $124,600 | $714 |
| Williamsburg | 466 | $29,250 | $43,600 | $424 |
| Las Palomas | 304 | $73,864 | $137,500 | — |
| Salem | 916 | $31,386 | $61,500 | — |
| Hatch | 1,588 | $43,486 | $102,800 | $503 |
| Rincon | 271 | $57,083 | — | — |
More for people moving to Elephant Butte
Elephant Butte ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Elephant Butte: FAQ
What is the median household income in Elephant Butte, NM?
The median household income in Elephant Butte is $53,482, 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 Elephant Butte?
The median home value in Elephant Butte is $176,800, compared with $248,100 in New Mexico.
How much is rent in Elephant Butte?
The median gross rent in Elephant Butte is $1,089 per month, about 51% of household income.
Is Elephant Butte, NM a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 29% lower than the state median; an average commute of 12 minutes; unemployment of 5.3%; a poverty rate of 10.7%. Minuses: median household income 17% lower than the New Mexico median.
What is the median age in Elephant Butte?
The median age in Elephant Butte is 62.7 years (New Mexico: 39.4).
How long is the commute in Elephant Butte?
The average commute to work in Elephant Butte is 12 minutes; 6% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Elephant Butte?
The unemployment rate in Elephant Butte is 5.3% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Elephant Butte?
19% of adults in Elephant Butte 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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