Smart Movers Club

    Moving to Carlsbad, NM

    Is Carlsbad a good place to live?

    Watch Carlsbad

    Carlsbad ranks #2 of 11 New Mexico cities with 25,000+ people on the Smart Movers livability score (75/100), which weighs home affordability, unemployment, education and population growth. Population grew 0.2% in the latest Census year.

    Median home value
    $187,900
    +8.9% vs prior year
    Median rent
    $1,206
    per month
    Household income
    $78,277
    median
    Unemployment
    4.4%
    lower is better

    Cost of living in Carlsbad

    The median home value in Carlsbad is $187,900 and median rent is $1,206 a month, against a median household income of $78,277. Homes cost about 2.4× a year of income (under 3× is considered affordable).

    Carlsbad crime rate

    City-level FBI figures vary by agency; across New Mexico the 2025 rate was 648 violent and 2,351 property crimes per 100,000 people — #1 highest of 50 states. The full report breaks down local trends.

    Moving to Carlsbad, NM

    Carlsbad has about 31,813 residents, 4.4% unemployment and 12% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher.

    Compare Carlsbad with

    Carlsbad vs AlbuquerqueCarlsbad vs Las CrucesCarlsbad vs Rio RanchoCarlsbad vs Santa FeCarlsbad vs RoswellCarlsbad vs FarmingtonCarlsbad vs HobbsCarlsbad vs Clovis

    More: Where to move in New Mexico · Best counties in New Mexico

    Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year estimates (2023, compared with 2022); FBI Crime Data Explorer.

    Home listings, local news, migration, schools, resources and the Smart Movers Grade & Verdict.

    See the full Smart Movers Club report