Española 73 Excellent
Española Livability #10 ranked city in New Mexico#5,061 ranked city in the USARanks better than 82% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Española

PROS
  • Commute Commute

    A high commute score suggests convenient, easy access to public transportation, with shorter-than-average work commute times to work.

  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    The cost of living in this region is notably lower than the national average, encompassing everyday goods, housing, utilities, transportation and health care expenses.

  • Housing Housing

    High scores in the housing category are attributed to this area, possibly pointing to a favorable home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Achieving a high health and safety score relies on factors including great air quality and convenient access to vital health facilities such as hospitals, doctors, clinics and police stations.

  • Ratings Ratings

    Locals express favorable opinions about the proximity of everyday local amenities, parks, public transit, neighborly atmosphere, strong sense of community and the general safety of the area.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    A large portion of amenities are not ideally situated within walking distance, potentially requiring residents to utilize a vehicle or public transportation.

  • Crime Crime

    This area exhibits elevated crime rates per 100,000 residents, which may suggest it's a potentially unsafe place to reside. These rates encompass both property and violent crimes.

  • Employment Employment

    Low income levels and high unemployment rates results in a low score in the employment category. It could prove difficult to find well-paying employment in this area.

  • Schools Schools

    The lower than average schools score may be influenced by below-average education levels, subpar reading and math scores and the lack of access to local elementary and high schools.

What's it like Living in Española?

Española, New Mexico is a mid-sized city with a population of 10,349 inhabitants. More than a quarter of the residents of Española identify themselves as Hispanic or Latino, and 54% of the population speak Spanish as their primary or secondary language. Española is very likely to be a great place to live for singles as only 42%, of the population (over fifteen) are classified as married. The average American spends about 26 minutes on their one way commute to work each day. Lower travel times can increase overall happiness and allow for more time to be spent with family and friends. While living in Española, your commute times will be about average, with a one way commute time of 26 minutes.

Whether you’re relocating to a new town to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Española could be a positive experience compared to other cities in New Mexico if you know where to look. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. The best areas in Española and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from crime, cost of living, commute, education, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the New Mexico and national averages.

With a livability score of 72/100, Española is ranked #5,332 in the United States and #9 in New Mexico. Based on the grades for each individual category, Española has been rewarded with high marks for cost of living (A+) and housing (B+). Española does not do well for the following: amenities (F), crime (F), education (F) and employment (D-). It might be a smart idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.

The Española unemployment rate of 2.4% has continued to decrease over the years and is now well below the national average. The result could lead to reduced poverty and inequality in the area, higher wages and increased economic growth. This is a positive sign in the overall health of the local economy.

For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Española apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.

Española real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Española. Median real estate prices in Española come in at $292,219, which is 3.1% higher than the New Mexico average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Española, the home price to income ratio is 5.4, which is 28.6% higher than the New Mexico average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Española

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Compare Española, NM Livability

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      Española transportation information

      Statistic Española New Mexico National
      Average one way commute26min22min26min
      Workers who drive to work83.3%79.8%76.4%
      Workers who carpool10.4%10.1%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit1.9%1.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.7%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.0%2.2%2.8%
      Working from home2.3%4.7%4.6%
      Source: The Española, NM data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.