La Luz, NM

New Mexico

La Luz is a small town in New Mexico with a population of 1,683. Residents earn $35,324 per year, which is 53% below the national average.

3.4 /5.0
B Good
1,683 Population 158/sq mi density
$35,324 Median Income $28,226 per capita
$60,800 Home Value $259,874 Zillow
$615 Median Rent
63°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.5 / 5.0
$35,324 median income, 22.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$60,800 home value, $615/mo rent
C+
Education
2.6 / 5.0
19.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $35,324
53% lower than US avg
Home Value $60,800
78% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 19.7%
42% lower than US avg
Median Rent $615
47% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 36.4%
13% higher than US avg
Unemployment 22.7%
531% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 4.9%
60% lower than US avg

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

People

Population1,683
Median Age41.8 yrs
Density158/mi²
Male / Female62% / 38%
Largest GroupWhite 47%

Economy

C+
Median Income$35,324
Per Capita$28,226
Unemployment22.7%
Poverty4.9%
County GDP$3,795M
Commute13 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$60,800
Rent$615
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$259,874

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity36.4%
UninsuredN/A
Depression24.9%
Heart Disease5.9%

Climate

Avg Temp63°F
AQI37 (Good)
Rain10.6 in/yr
Elevation4,723 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+19.7%
High School+99.1%
School Score4.65

Community

2024 VoteR 62% / D 35%
Commute13 min
Libraries4

Is La Luz a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, La Luz receives an overall livability score of 3.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, below-average incomes. La Luz offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in La Luz is $35,324, 53% below the national average of $75,149. At 22.7%, unemployment is notably high. Only 4.9% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 13 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in La Luz is $60,800, 78% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $615 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.7x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

19.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 99.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

La Luz enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F. Winters average 44°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 10.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37.

La Luz has a population of 1,683 with a density of 158 people per square mile. The median age is 41.8 years, 7% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (46.7%), with 2.9% Hispanic.

Population

1,683
Total Population
158
People / sq mi
41.8yrs
Median Age
7% above US avg
10.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 61.8%
Female 38.2%

Race & Ethnicity

La Luz vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only90.3%
15% above US avg
Spanish9.7%
28% below US avg

Social Characteristics

La Luz vs U.S. Average

The median household income in La Luz is $35,324, which is 53% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 22.7% (above the 3.6% US average). 4.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 13 minutes.

Income: La Luz vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$35,324
53% below US avg
Per Capita Income$28,226
Avg Weekly Wage$962
IRS Avg AGI$49,136

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment22.7%
531% above US avg
Poverty Rate4.9%
60% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,328
County GDP$3,795M

Business (County)

Restaurants110
Healthcare112
Retail166
Manufacturing27

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,608
25% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.29%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time12.9 min
Work from Home9.0%

Walkability

The median home value in La Luz is $60,800, 78% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $615 (47% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $259,874.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$60,800
78% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$259,874

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$615
47% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied72.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,608
25% below US avg
Effective Rate4.29%
In La Luz, 36.4% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 24.9% report depression. 22.6% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: La Luz vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity36.4%
13% above US avg
Diabetes10.4%
Heart Disease5.9%
High Blood Pressure31.1%
Asthma9.9%
COPD6.1%
Stroke3.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.1%
Physical Inactivity22.6%
Depression24.9%
Mental Distress17.4%
Physical Distress13.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate60.0%
Checkup Rate67.8%
Premature Death11,128/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.1/10
Exercise Access48.8%
Healthcare Facilities112

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)9
FEMA Disasters273

Safety Score

La Luz has an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 44°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation is 10.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37.

Temperature

44°F Jan (7°C) 81°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average63.1°F
17% above US avg
January Average44°F (7°C)
July Average81°F (27°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall10.6 inches
72% below US avg
Snowfall2.4 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median37.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation4,723 ft (1,440 m)
Area10.7 sq mi (27.7 km²)
Population Density158/sq mi
Coordinates32.9716°N, 105.9397°W
County FIPS35035
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent. 19.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (42% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 27-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 62.4%
D 35.4%

Winner: Republican by 27 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+19.7%
42% below US avg
High School+99.1%
School Test Score4.65
C+ Education Grade (2.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 4Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent
Population Density158/sq mi
Total Area10.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities112
Restaurants110
Retail Stores166

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)9
FEMA Disaster Declarations273

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute12.9 min
Work from Home9.0%

Nearby Cities

Compare La Luz with another city: