Carlsbad, NM

New Mexico

Carlsbad is a mid-size city in New Mexico with a population of 31,813. Residents earn $78,277 per year, which is 4% above the national average.

3.2 /5.0
B Good
31,813 Population 1,005/sq mi density
$78,277 Median Income $37,755 per capita
$187,900 Home Value $242,280 Zillow
$1,206 Median Rent
64°F Avg Temperature
510 Violent Crime/100K 4,376 property/100K
B
Overall
3.2 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.3 / 5.0
$78,277 median income, 2.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$187,900 home value, $1,206/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
510 violent crimes/100K (34% above avg)
C+
Education
2.6 / 5.0
20.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $78,277
4% higher than US avg
Home Value $187,900
33% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 510/100K
34% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 20.3%
40% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,206
4% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.8%
24% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.7%
25% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 8.0%
35% lower than US avg

How Carlsbad Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population31,813
Median Age37.4 yrs
Density1,005/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 59%

Economy

A
Median Income$78,277
Per Capita$37,755
Unemployment2.7%
Poverty8.0%
County GDP$11,319M
Commute20 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$187,900
Rent$1,206
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$242,280

Crime

F
Violent510/100K
Property4,376/100K
Murder7.1/100K
Assault360/100K
Burglary934/100K

Health

Obesity39.8%
UninsuredN/A
Depression23.3%
Heart Disease5.8%

Climate

Avg Temp64°F
AQI37 (Good)
Rain12.6 in/yr
Elevation3,123 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+20.3%
High School+82.1%
School Score4.65

Community

2024 VoteR 77% / D 21%
Commute20 min
EV Stations7
Libraries2

Is Carlsbad a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Carlsbad receives an overall livability score of 3.2 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, high obesity rates. Carlsbad offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Carlsbad is $78,277, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.7%. 8.0% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Carlsbad is $187,900, 33% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,206 per month. At just 2.4x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

The violent crime rate of 510 per 100,000 is above the national average of 380 — something for prospective residents to consider. Property crime occurs at a rate of 4,376 per 100,000, 123% above the national average.

Education

20.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 82.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Carlsbad enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 64°F. Winters average 44°F in January while summers reach 84°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 12.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37.

Carlsbad has a population of 31,813 with a density of 1,005 people per square mile. The median age is 37.4 years, 4% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (58.7%), with 2.3% Hispanic, 2.7% Black.

Population

31,813
Total Population
1,005
People / sq mi
37.4yrs
Median Age
4% below US avg
31.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.3%
Female 49.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Carlsbad vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only76.3%
3% below US avg
Spanish23.7%
77% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Carlsbad vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Carlsbad is $78,277, which is 4% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.7% (below the 3.6% US average). 8.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Income: Carlsbad vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$78,277
4% above US avg
Per Capita Income$37,755
Avg Weekly Wage$1,470
IRS Avg AGI$84,135

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.7%
25% below US avg
Poverty Rate8.0%
35% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,976
County GDP$11,319M

Business (County)

Restaurants159
Healthcare118
Retail195
Manufacturing38

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,282
6% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.75%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time20.1 min
Work from Home6.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Carlsbad is $187,900, 33% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,206 (4% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $242,280.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$187,900
33% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$242,280
Median List Price$285,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$285,000
$/Sq Ft$197
Homes Sold29
Sale-to-List Ratio0.0%
Price Drops16.2%
Inventory99

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,206
4% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,653

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$828
1 Bedroom$927
2 Bedrooms$1,129
3 Bedrooms$1,496
4 Bedrooms$1,758

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied71.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,282
6% below US avg
Effective Rate1.75%
In Carlsbad, 39.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 23.3% report depression. 26.8% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Carlsbad vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.8%
24% above US avg
Diabetes10.8%
Heart Disease5.8%
High Blood Pressure30.7%
Asthma9.9%
COPD5.7%
Stroke3.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.9%
Physical Inactivity26.8%
Depression23.3%
Mental Distress17.4%
Physical Distress14.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate90.4%
Checkup Rate65.0%
Premature Death12,798/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.7/10
Exercise Access73.6%
Healthcare Facilities118
Carlsbad has a violent crime rate of 510 per 100,000 residents, 34% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 4,376 per 100,000 (123% above US avg). The murder rate is 7.1 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Carlsbad vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent510.0/100K
34% above US avg
Murder7.1/100K
13% above US avg
Rape96.3/100K
Robbery46.4/100K
Assault360.2/100K

Property Crime

Total Property4,376.2/100K
123% above US avg
Burglary934.5/100K
Theft2,971.0/100K
Vehicle Theft470.8/100K
Arson28.5/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)15

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Carlsbad has an average annual temperature of 64°F (18°C). Winters average 44°F in January while summers reach 84°F in July. Annual precipitation is 12.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37.

Temperature

44°F Jan (7°C) 84°F Jul (29°C)
Annual Average64.4°F
19% above US avg
January Average44°F (7°C)
July Average84°F (29°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall12.6 inches
67% below US avg
Snowfall2.7 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median37.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation3,123 ft (952 m)
Area31.7 sq mi (82.0 km²)
Population Density1,005/sq mi
Coordinates32.4008°N, 104.2410°W
County FIPS35015
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+. 20.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (40% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 55.9-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 77.3%
D 21.4%

Winner: Republican by 55.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+20.3%
40% below US avg
High School+82.1%
School Test Score4.65
C+ Education Grade (2.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 5Nonmetro — Urban 20K+
Population Density1,005/sq mi
Total Area31.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations7
Alt Fuel Stations8
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities118
Restaurants159
Retail Stores195

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)15
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute20.1 min
Work from Home6.0%

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