Los Alamos, NM

New Mexico

Los Alamos is a small city in New Mexico with a population of 13,471. Residents earn $136,502 per year, which is 82% above the national average.

3.9 /5.0
B+ Good
13,471 Population 1,213/sq mi density
$136,502 Median Income $73,884 per capita
$458,200 Home Value $573,146 Zillow
$1,304 Median Rent
50°F Avg Temperature
237 Violent Crime/100K 983 property/100K
B+
Overall
3.9 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
5.0 / 5.0
$136,502 median income, 1.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.8 / 5.0
$458,200 home value, $1,304/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
237 violent crimes/100K (38% below avg)
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
68.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $136,502
82% higher than US avg
Home Value $458,200
63% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 237/100K
38% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 68.0%
102% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,304
12% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 25.0%
22% lower than US avg
Unemployment 1.8%
50% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 3.9%
69% lower than US avg

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

People

Population13,471
Median Age41.0 yrs
Density1,213/mi²
Male / Female53% / 47%
Largest GroupWhite 75%

Economy

A+
Median Income$136,502
Per Capita$73,884
Unemployment1.8%
Poverty3.9%
County GDP$3,815M
Commute12 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$458,200
Rent$1,304
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$573,146

Crime

F
Violent237/100K
Property983/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault181/100K
Burglary130/100K

Health

Obesity25.0%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.7%
Heart Disease4.0%

Climate

Avg Temp50°F
AQI14 (Good)
Rain17.5 in/yr
Elevation7,322 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+68.0%
High School+97.6%
School Score7.27

Community

2024 VoteR 33% / D 63%
Commute12 min
EV Stations34
Libraries2

Is Los Alamos a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Los Alamos receives an overall livability score of 3.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, low crime rates, a highly educated population. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Los Alamos offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Los Alamos is $136,502, which is significantly higher than the national average — 82% above $75,149. This places Los Alamos among higher-income communities. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.8%. Only 3.9% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 12 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Los Alamos is $458,200, making it a premium housing market at 63% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,304 per month. A price-to-income ratio of 3.4x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Los Alamos is below the national average at 237 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 983 per 100,000, 50% below the national average.

Education

Los Alamos is a highly educated community — 68.0% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 97.6% have completed high school. Local schools score 7.3/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Los Alamos experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 17.5 inches, including 42.1 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 14.

Los Alamos has a population of 13,471 with a density of 1,213 people per square mile. The median age is 41.0 years, 5% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (74.7%), with 2.2% Hispanic.

Population

13,471
Total Population
1,213
People / sq mi
41.0yrs
Median Age
5% above US avg
11.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 53%
Female 47%

Race & Ethnicity

Los Alamos vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only82.4%
5% above US avg
Spanish17.6%
31% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Los Alamos vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Los Alamos is $136,502, which is 82% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.8% (below the 3.6% US average). 3.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 12 minutes.

Income: Los Alamos vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$136,502
82% above US avg
Per Capita Income$73,884
Avg Weekly Wage$2,191
IRS Avg AGI$130,620

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.8%
50% below US avg
Poverty Rate3.9%
69% below US avg
Establishments (County)606
County GDP$3,815M

Business (County)

Restaurants34
Healthcare72
Retail30
Manufacturing8

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,973
14% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate0.87%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time11.8 min
Work from Home16.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Los Alamos is $458,200, 63% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,304 (12% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $573,146.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$458,200
63% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$573,146
Median List Price$659,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$659,000
$/Sq Ft$287
Homes Sold12
Sale-to-List Ratio102.0%
Price Drops12.0%
Inventory25

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,304
12% above US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,200
1 Bedroom$1,326
2 Bedrooms$1,740
3 Bedrooms$2,086
4 Bedrooms$2,843

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied65.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,973
14% above US avg
Effective Rate0.87%
In Los Alamos, 25.0% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 21.7% report depression. 13.1% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Los Alamos vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity25.0%
22% below US avg
Diabetes6.8%
Heart Disease4.0%
High Blood Pressure24.4%
Asthma9.1%
COPD3.4%
Stroke2.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.8%
Physical Inactivity13.1%
Depression21.7%
Mental Distress13.3%
Physical Distress9.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.3%
Checkup Rate69.2%
Premature Death3,583/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.3/10
Exercise Access99.3%
Healthcare Facilities72
Los Alamos has a violent crime rate of 237 per 100,000 residents, 38% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 983 per 100,000 (50% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent237.3/100K
38% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape50.8/100K
Robbery5.7/100K
Assault180.8/100K

Property Crime

Total Property982.9/100K
50% below US avg
Burglary129.9/100K
Theft841.7/100K
Vehicle Theft11.3/100K
Arson11.3/100K

Traffic Safety

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Los Alamos has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation is 17.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 14.

Temperature

30°F Jan (-1°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average49.8°F
8% below US avg
January Average30°F (-1°C)
July Average70°F (21°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall17.5 inches
54% below US avg
Snowfall42.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median14.0
RatingGood
Good Days %100.0%
Unhealthy Days0

Geography

Elevation7,322 ft (2,232 m)
Area11.1 sq mi (28.8 km²)
Population Density1,213/sq mi
Coordinates35.8940°N, 106.2900°W
County FIPS35028
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 68.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (102% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 30.2-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 33.2%
D 63.4%

Winner: Democrat by 30.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+68.0%
102% above US avg
High School+97.6%
School Test Score7.27
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density1,213/sq mi
Total Area11.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations34
Alt Fuel Stations34
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities72
Restaurants34
Retail Stores30

Safety & Disasters

F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute11.8 min
Work from Home16.2%

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