Living in Portales, New Mexico
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Portales · Census data 2020–2024
Portales has 11,968 residents with a median age of 27.1. The median household income is $50,555 (21% lower than the New Mexico median), the median home value is $133,400, the median rent is $903/month.
Portales at a glance
- Population
- 11,968
- Median age
- 27.1State: 39.4
- Median household income
- $50,555State: $64,059
- Median home value
- $133,400State: $248,100
- Median rent
- $903/moState: $1,067
- Homeowners
- 47.6%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 25.4%
- Average commute
- 12 min
Is Portales a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 46% lower than the state median; an average commute of 12 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 21% lower than the New Mexico median; unemployment of 7.4%; a poverty rate of 28.1%.
The weather is best in March to May and October.
Cost of living in Portales
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Portales the median home value is $133,400, 60% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $903 per month, which is 28.2% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,398 a month in housing costs.
Portales median household income
The median household income in Portales is $50,555 and the income per person is $21,996. 28.1% of residents live below the poverty line (New Mexico: 17.8%).
Housing in Portales: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 5,300
- Owner-occupied
- 47.6%
- Renter-occupied
- 52.4%
- Vacant
- 14%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1976
- Average household size
- 2.42
Portales demographics
- Population
- 11,968
- Median age
- 27.1
- Under 18
- 29%
- 65 and older
- 12.2%
- Households
- 4,559
- Foreign-born
- 8%
- Veterans
- 8.3%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Portales ›
Education in Portales
25.4% of adults 25 and older in Portales have a bachelor's degree or higher (New Mexico: 31%), and 11.6% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Portales
- Unemployment rate
- 7.4%State: 6%
- Average commute
- 12 minState: 24 min
- Work from home
- 3.7%
- Drive alone
- 81.5%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 5.4%
- Homes with broadband
- 88.2%
Portales vs nearby towns
More for people moving to Portales
Portales ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Portales: FAQ
What is the median household income in Portales, NM?
The median household income in Portales is $50,555, 21% 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 Portales?
The median home value in Portales is $133,400, compared with $248,100 in New Mexico.
How much is rent in Portales?
The median gross rent in Portales is $903 per month, about 28.2% of household income.
Is Portales, NM a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 46% lower than the state median; an average commute of 12 minutes. Minuses: median household income 21% lower than the New Mexico median; unemployment of 7.4%; a poverty rate of 28.1%.
What is the median age in Portales?
The median age in Portales is 27.1 years (New Mexico: 39.4).
How long is the commute in Portales?
The average commute to work in Portales is 12 minutes; 3.7% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Portales?
The unemployment rate in Portales is 7.4% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Portales?
25.4% of adults in Portales 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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