Although New Mexico is one of the most dangerous states in the US, there are still plenty of safe communities in the state. Read on to explore some of New Mexico's safest towns and cities.
10 Safest Places to Live in New Mexico
- Corrales
- Los Alamos
- Anthony
- Lovington
- Grants
- Rio Rancho
- Raton
- Alamogordo
- Ruidoso
- Aztec
1. Corrales
The safest place to live in New Mexico is Corrales. This small town is located in southern New Mexico in Sandoval County. With a population of 8,329, Corrales has a total crime rate that is 79% lower than the national average. Corrales is great for those looking for a relaxed lifestyle with plenty of natural scenery. Corrales is located within a heavily wooded area that is known for its Russian olive trees and popular bird-watching spots.
2. Los Alamos
Home to Los Alamos National Laboratories, this town is also one of the safest places to live in New Mexico. With a population of 13,179, Los Alamos has a total crime rate that is 72% below the national average. During the Second World War, Los Alamos was the site for the development of the nuclear bomb and remains an important scientific research center today. Besides research, Los Alamos is a growing city that offers great amenities to families and offers close proximity to both Sante Fe and Albuquerque.
3. Anthony
Anthony is another one of the safest cities in New Mexico. This small city is known for having plenty of southwestern border charm and being a great place to live. Anthony has a population of 9,360 people, is located 18 miles north of El Paso, Texas, and has a crime rate that is 68% below the national average. Local attractions include a waterpark, the White Sands National Park, and the Carlsbad Caverns National Park. The median home price in Anthony is $222,929.
4. Lovington
Lovington is a laid-back suburban community in Lea County. The town's population is 11,009, with a total crime rate that is 35% below the national average. Despite being a small town, Lovington retains a strong sense of community. Local attractions include the annual fair and the Western Heritage Museum, which has housed artifacts from the sunken Titanic. The median home price in Lovington is just $156,869.
5. Grants
Grants is also one of the safest cities in New Mexico. Grants is located in Cibola County, about 78 miles west of Albuquerque. It has a population of 9,163 and a crime rate that is 33% below the national average, which makes it one of the safest cities in New Mexico. Grants is located along the Trails of the Ancients Byway, a Native American archaeological site related to the Puebloans, Navajo, Ute, and Apache peoples.
Much of the town's economy has historically been based on mining, with the Grants Mining Museum reflecting much of this history. Other museums include the Western New Mexico Aviation Heritage Museum and the Cibola Arts Council, which hosts an early version of a Ford Model T Roadster.
6. Rio Rancho
Rio Rancho is another one of the safest cities in New Mexico. It's also one of the fastest-growing and most livable cities in New Mexico. With a population of 104,046, Rio Rancho has a total crime rate that is 28% below the national average. Rio Rancho is a well-maintained suburban community just outside of Albuquerque with a lot to offer in terms of recreation and education. The nearby Sandia Mountains offer great nature getaways with plenty of nearby caves to explore. Rio Rancho is also home to part of the West Campus of the University of Mexico.
7. Raton
Raton is the county seat of Colfax County in northeastern New Mexico. This town of 6,041 people has a crime rate that is 14% above the national average but still on par with the state average. Raton offers fantastic green mountain landscapes with access to hiking, camping, and fishing. Coal mining has historically been an important part of the city's economy, with many former mineshafts being turned into museums.
8. Alamogordo
Alamogordo is a safe, verdant, and sunny town near the Chihuahuan Desert and the Sacramento Mountains. The city has a population of 31,384 with a crime rate that is about average with the New Mexico Average. Other popular destinations include the White Sands National Monument and the New Mexico Museum of Space History. Alamogordo is near the Holloman Air Force Base and was the site of the first atomic bomb test in 1945.
9. Ruidoso
Ruidoso is a breathtaking mountain resort town in Lincoln County. Ruidoso has a population of 8,029 and a total crime rate that is slightly below the state average, making it one of the safest places to live in New Mexico. Ruidoso may feel like a town out of a Western movie, with lush green mountains, horseback riding, skiing, and hiking trails. In addition, Ruidoso offers year-round golf and casino gambling on the nearby Mescalero Apache Reservation. The median home price in Ruidoso is $315,446.
10. Aztec
Aztec is the county seat of San Juan County in northwestern New Mexico. This small city has a population of 6,126 and is known for being a safe place to live. It has a crime rate that is slightly below the national average and more or less on par with the state average. Aztec is home to the Aztec Ruins National Monument, located on the city's north side. Aztec has many other parks and trails totaling over 130 acres of land. The median home price in Aztec is $226,920.