Living in Happy Valley, New Mexico
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Happy Valley · Census data 2020–2024
Happy Valley has 845 residents with a median age of 52.1. The median household income is $62,215 (about the same as the New Mexico median), the median home value is $200,000, the median rent is $1,115/month.
Happy Valley is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Happy Valley at a glance
- Population
- 845
- Median age
- 52.1State: 39.4
- Median household income
- $62,215State: $64,059
- Median home value
- $200,000State: $248,100
- Median rent
- $1,115/moState: $1,067
- Homeowners
- 73.2%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 5.5%
- Average commute
- 25 min
Is Happy Valley a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 19% lower than the state median.
Cons: Median household income about the same as the New Mexico median; an average commute of 25 minutes; unemployment of 18.1%; a poverty rate of 28.8%.
The weather is best in March–April and October–November.
Cost of living in Happy Valley
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Happy Valley the median home value is $200,000, 40% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,115 per month, which is 22.6% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay — a month in housing costs.
Happy Valley median household income
The median household income in Happy Valley is $62,215 and the income per person is $31,363. 28.8% of residents live below the poverty line (New Mexico: 17.8%).
Housing in Happy Valley: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 437
- Owner-occupied
- 73.2%
- Renter-occupied
- 26.8%
- Vacant
- 0%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1969
- Average household size
- 1.93
Happy Valley demographics
- Population
- 845
- Median age
- 52.1
- Under 18
- 9%
- 65 and older
- 22.1%
- Households
- 437
- Foreign-born
- 21.7%
- Veterans
- 2.9%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Happy Valley ›
Education in Happy Valley
5.5% of adults 25 and older in Happy Valley have a bachelor's degree or higher (New Mexico: 31%), and 2.9% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Happy Valley
- Unemployment rate
- 18.1%State: 6%
- Average commute
- 25 minState: 24 min
- Work from home
- 0%
- Drive alone
- 79.1%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 0%
- Homes with broadband
- 88.6%
Happy Valley vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Happy Valley | 845 | $62,215 | $200,000 | $1,115 |
| Carlsbad | 31,746 | $72,306 | $200,000 | $1,236 |
| La Huerta | 1,288 | $78,861 | $345,100 | — |
| Livingston Wheeler | 460 | $79,329 | $153,000 | — |
| 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 Happy Valley
Happy Valley ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Happy Valley: FAQ
What is the median household income in Happy Valley, NM?
The median household income in Happy Valley is $62,215, about the same as 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 Happy Valley?
The median home value in Happy Valley is $200,000, compared with $248,100 in New Mexico.
How much is rent in Happy Valley?
The median gross rent in Happy Valley is $1,115 per month, about 22.6% of household income.
Is Happy Valley, NM a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 19% lower than the state median. Minuses: median household income about the same as the New Mexico median; an average commute of 25 minutes; unemployment of 18.1%; a poverty rate of 28.8%.
What is the median age in Happy Valley?
The median age in Happy Valley is 52.1 years (New Mexico: 39.4).
How long is the commute in Happy Valley?
The average commute to work in Happy Valley is 25 minutes; 0% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Happy Valley?
The unemployment rate in Happy Valley is 18.1% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Happy Valley?
5.5% of adults in Happy Valley 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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