Tularosa, NM

New Mexico

Tularosa is a small town in New Mexico with a population of 2,584. Residents earn $45,147 per year, which is 40% below the national average.

2.7 /5.0
C+ Fair
2,584 Population 916/sq mi density
$45,147 Median Income $16,503 per capita
$117,600 Home Value $179,763 Zillow
$1,043 Median Rent
61°F Avg Temperature
34 Violent Crime/100K 1,636 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.7 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.1 / 5.0
$45,147 median income, 12.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$117,600 home value, $1,043/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
34 violent crimes/100K (91% below avg)
C+
Education
2.8 / 5.0
22.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $45,147
40% lower than US avg
Home Value $117,600
58% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 34/100K
91% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 22.0%
35% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,043
10% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.3%
26% higher than US avg
Unemployment 12.8%
256% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 17.5%
41% higher than US avg

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

People

Population2,584
Median Age25.7 yrs
Density916/mi²
Male / Female40% / 60%
Largest GroupWhite 57%

Economy

C
Median Income$45,147
Per Capita$16,503
Unemployment12.8%
Poverty17.5%
County GDP$666M
Commute24 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$117,600
Rent$1,043
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$179,763

Crime

F
Violent34/100K
Property1,636/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault34/100K
Burglary545/100K

Health

Obesity40.3%
UninsuredN/A
Depression24.9%
Heart Disease6.7%

Climate

Avg Temp61°F
AQI37 (Good)
Rain10.8 in/yr
Elevation4,515 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+22.0%
High School+92.1%
School Score4.65

Community

2024 VoteR 50% / D 47%
Commute24 min
Libraries3

Is Tularosa a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Tularosa receives an overall livability score of 2.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low crime rates, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Tularosa has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Tularosa is $45,147, 40% below the national average of $75,149. At 12.8%, unemployment is notably high. The poverty rate of 17.5% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Tularosa is $117,600, 58% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,043 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.6x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Tularosa is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 34 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,636 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

22.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 92.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Tularosa enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 61°F. Winters average 42°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 10.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37.

Tularosa has a population of 2,584 with a density of 916 people per square mile. The median age is 25.7 years, 34% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (56.7%), with 7.8% Hispanic, 1.5% Asian.

Population

2,584
Total Population
916
People / sq mi
25.7yrs
Median Age
34% below US avg
2.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 40.2%
Female 59.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Tularosa vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only89.8%
14% above US avg
Spanish10.2%
24% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Tularosa vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Tularosa is $45,147, which is 40% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 12.8% (above the 3.6% US average). 17.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Income: Tularosa vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$45,147
40% below US avg
Per Capita Income$16,503
Avg Weekly Wage$997
IRS Avg AGI$47,420

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment12.8%
256% above US avg
Poverty Rate17.5%
41% above US avg
Establishments (County)388
County GDP$666M

Business (County)

Restaurants40
Healthcare36
Retail34
Manufacturing5

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,000
14% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.55%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time24.0 min
Work from Home5.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Tularosa is $117,600, 58% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,043 (10% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $179,763.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$117,600
58% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$179,763
Median List Price$227,450

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$227,450
$/Sq Ft$79
Homes Sold2
Sale-to-List Ratio0.0%
Price Drops44.4%
Inventory9

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,043
10% 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-Occupied81.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,000
14% below US avg
Effective Rate2.55%
In Tularosa, 40.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 24.9% report depression. 27.9% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.3%
26% above US avg
Diabetes13.2%
Heart Disease6.7%
High Blood Pressure33.0%
Asthma10.4%
COPD7.1%
Stroke3.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking14.4%
Physical Inactivity27.9%
Depression24.9%
Mental Distress18.3%
Physical Distress16.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate90.8%
Checkup Rate68.2%
Premature Death17,605/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment4.1/10
Exercise Access52.9%
Healthcare Facilities36
Tularosa has a violent crime rate of 34 per 100,000 residents, 91% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,636 per 100,000 (17% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent34.1/100K
91% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault34.1/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,636.0/100K
17% below US avg
Burglary545.3/100K
Theft1,056.6/100K
Vehicle Theft34.1/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)13

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Tularosa has an average annual temperature of 61°F (16°C). Winters average 42°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation is 10.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37.

Temperature

42°F Jan (6°C) 79°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average61.2°F
13% above US avg
January Average42°F (6°C)
July Average79°F (26°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall10.8 inches
72% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median37.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation4,515 ft (1,376 m)
Area2.8 sq mi (7.3 km²)
Population Density916/sq mi
Coordinates33.0750°N, 106.0173°W
County FIPS35053
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 22.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (35% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 3.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 50.5%
D 46.8%

Winner: Republican by 3.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+22.0%
35% below US avg
High School+92.1%
School Test Score4.65
C+ Education Grade (2.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density916/sq mi
Total Area2.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities36
Restaurants40
Retail Stores34

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)13
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute24.0 min
Work from Home5.8%

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