Hobbs, NM

New Mexico

Hobbs is a mid-size city in New Mexico with a population of 39,887. Residents earn $65,691 per year, which is 13% below the national average.

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
39,887 Population 1,510/sq mi density
$65,691 Median Income $33,083 per capita
$180,700 Home Value $209,664 Zillow
$1,132 Median Rent
62°F Avg Temperature
673 Violent Crime/100K 4,329 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.4 / 5.0
$65,691 median income, 4.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$180,700 home value, $1,132/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
673 violent crimes/100K (77% above avg)
C
Education
2.3 / 5.0
16.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $65,691
13% lower than US avg
Home Value $180,700
36% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 673/100K
77% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 16.6%
51% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,132
3% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.0%
15% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.2%
17% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 16.2%
31% higher than US avg

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

People

Population39,887
Median Age31.7 yrs
Density1,510/mi²
Male / Female53% / 47%
Largest GroupWhite 49%

Economy

B
Median Income$65,691
Per Capita$33,083
Unemployment4.2%
Poverty16.2%
County GDP$12,858M
Commute25 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$180,700
Rent$1,132
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$209,664

Crime

F
Violent673/100K
Property4,329/100K
Murder13.7/100K
Assault493/100K
Burglary862/100K

Health

Obesity37.0%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.2%
Heart Disease6.2%

Climate

Avg Temp62°F
AQI37 (Good)
Rain13.8 in/yr
Elevation3,642 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+16.6%
High School+75.9%
School Score4.65

Community

2024 VoteR 80% / D 19%
Commute25 min
EV Stations2
Libraries6

Is Hobbs a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Hobbs receives an overall livability score of 2.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, an elevated poverty rate. Hobbs has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Hobbs is $65,691, 13% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.2%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 16.2% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Hobbs is $180,700, 36% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,132 per month. At just 2.8x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

With 673 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, public safety is a notable concern — this is significantly above the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 4,329 per 100,000, 121% above the national average.

Education

16.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 75.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Hobbs enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F. Winters average 42°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 13.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37.

Hobbs has a population of 39,887 with a density of 1,510 people per square mile. The median age is 31.7 years, 19% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (48.7%), with 2% Hispanic, 5.9% Black.

Population

39,887
Total Population
1,510
People / sq mi
31.7yrs
Median Age
19% below US avg
26.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 53.1%
Female 46.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Hobbs vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only58.9%
25% below US avg
Spanish41.1%
207% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Hobbs vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Hobbs is $65,691, which is 13% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.2% (above the 3.6% US average). 16.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Income: Hobbs vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$65,691
13% below US avg
Per Capita Income$33,083
Avg Weekly Wage$1,333
IRS Avg AGI$67,076

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.2%
17% above US avg
Poverty Rate16.2%
31% above US avg
Establishments (County)2,195
County GDP$12,858M

Business (County)

Restaurants165
Healthcare115
Retail229
Manufacturing30

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,426
31% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.34%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time24.9 min
Work from Home2.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Hobbs is $180,700, 36% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,132 (3% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $209,664.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$180,700
36% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$209,664
Median List Price$265,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$265,000
$/Sq Ft$160
Homes Sold25
Sale-to-List Ratio0.0%
Price Drops30.0%
Inventory40

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,132
3% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,381

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied62.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,426
31% below US avg
Effective Rate1.34%
In Hobbs, 37.0% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 21.2% report depression. 29.8% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.0%
15% above US avg
Diabetes12.1%
Heart Disease6.2%
High Blood Pressure32.6%
Asthma9.6%
COPD6.2%
Stroke3.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.9%
Physical Inactivity29.8%
Depression21.2%
Mental Distress17.4%
Physical Distress15.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate85.9%
Checkup Rate65.3%
Premature Death12,673/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.7/10
Exercise Access87.5%
Healthcare Facilities115
Hobbs has a violent crime rate of 673 per 100,000 residents, 77% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 4,329 per 100,000 (121% above US avg). The murder rate is 13.7 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent673.1/100K
77% above US avg
Murder13.7/100K
117% above US avg
Rape101.3/100K
Robbery65.7/100K
Assault492.5/100K

Property Crime

Total Property4,328.9/100K
121% above US avg
Burglary862.0/100K
Theft3,212.5/100K
Vehicle Theft254.5/100K
Arson5.5/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)17

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Hobbs has an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 42°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation is 13.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37.

Temperature

42°F Jan (6°C) 81°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average62.2°F
15% above US avg
January Average42°F (6°C)
July Average81°F (27°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall13.8 inches
64% below US avg
Snowfall1.8 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median37.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation3,642 ft (1,110 m)
Area26.4 sq mi (68.4 km²)
Population Density1,510/sq mi
Coordinates32.7291°N, 103.1608°W
County FIPS35025
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+. 16.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (51% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 61.6-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 80.1%
D 18.5%

Winner: Republican by 61.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+16.6%
51% below US avg
High School+75.9%
School Test Score4.65
C Education Grade (2.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 5Nonmetro — Urban 20K+
Population Density1,510/sq mi
Total Area26.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations2
Alt Fuel Stations5
Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities115
Restaurants165
Retail Stores229

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)17
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute24.9 min
Work from Home2.2%

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