Living in Mescalero, New Mexico
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Mescalero · Census data 2020–2024
Mescalero has 832 residents with a median age of 44.6. The median household income is $24,313 (62% lower than the New Mexico median), the median home value is $43,300, the median rent is $260/month.
Mescalero is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Mescalero at a glance
- Population
- 832
- Median age
- 44.6State: 39.4
- Median household income
- $24,313State: $64,059
- Median home value
- $43,300State: $248,100
- Median rent
- $260/moState: $1,067
- Homeowners
- 72.2%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 7.7%
- Average commute
- 17 min
Is Mescalero a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 83% lower than the state median; an average commute of 17 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 62% lower than the New Mexico median; unemployment of 10.7%; a poverty rate of 42.7%.
The weather is best in April to June and September.
Cost of living in Mescalero
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Mescalero the median home value is $43,300, 87% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $260 per month, which is 18.6% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay — a month in housing costs.
Mescalero median household income
The median household income in Mescalero is $24,313 and the income per person is $23,514. 42.7% of residents live below the poverty line (New Mexico: 17.8%).
Housing in Mescalero: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 440
- Owner-occupied
- 72.2%
- Renter-occupied
- 27.8%
- Vacant
- 23.2%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1978
- Average household size
- 2.26
Mescalero demographics
- Population
- 832
- Median age
- 44.6
- Under 18
- 19.1%
- 65 and older
- 17.3%
- Households
- 338
- Foreign-born
- 1.9%
- Veterans
- 6.1%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Mescalero ›
Education in Mescalero
7.7% of adults 25 and older in Mescalero have a bachelor's degree or higher (New Mexico: 31%), and 0.9% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Mescalero
- Unemployment rate
- 10.7%State: 6%
- Average commute
- 17 minState: 24 min
- Work from home
- 0%
- Drive alone
- 76.3%
- Public transit
- 2.7%
- Walk to work
- 1.7%
- Homes with broadband
- 64.5%
Mescalero vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mescalero | 832 | $24,313 | $43,300 | $260 |
| Cloudcroft | 630 | $56,563 | $234,800 | — |
| Tularosa | 2,597 | $52,375 | $150,600 | $1,081 |
| La Luz | 1,797 | $46,655 | $68,100 | $765 |
| High Rolls | 1,313 | $86,375 | $257,600 | — |
| Twin Forks | 310 | $76,042 | $250,000 | — |
| Ruidoso | 7,699 | $52,736 | $243,800 | $944 |
| Ruidoso Downs | 2,655 | $31,354 | $154,000 | $936 |
| Alamogordo | 31,307 | $55,952 | $172,900 | $902 |
More for people moving to Mescalero
Mescalero ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Mescalero: FAQ
What is the median household income in Mescalero, NM?
The median household income in Mescalero is $24,313, 62% 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 Mescalero?
The median home value in Mescalero is $43,300, compared with $248,100 in New Mexico.
How much is rent in Mescalero?
The median gross rent in Mescalero is $260 per month, about 18.6% of household income.
Is Mescalero, NM a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 83% lower than the state median; an average commute of 17 minutes. Minuses: median household income 62% lower than the New Mexico median; unemployment of 10.7%; a poverty rate of 42.7%.
What is the median age in Mescalero?
The median age in Mescalero is 44.6 years (New Mexico: 39.4).
How long is the commute in Mescalero?
The average commute to work in Mescalero is 17 minutes; 0% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Mescalero?
The unemployment rate in Mescalero is 10.7% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Mescalero?
7.7% of adults in Mescalero 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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