Raton 69 Good
Raton Livability #23 ranked city in New Mexico#8,557 ranked city in the USARanks better than 70% of areas
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Local Insights Report

Pros and Cons of Living in Raton

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Taking into account the cost of goods and services like housing, groceries, transportation and utilities, the overall cost of living in this area is well below average.

  • Housing Housing

    High scores in the housing category are a distinguishing feature of this area, possibly driven by a favorable home affordability ratio, higher home values and appreciation rates.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Good air quality as well as nearby health facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, fire and police stations all contribute to a higher than average health and safety score.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    The majority of amenities are not ideally located within walking distance. To access these amenities, residents may be required to rely on a vehicle or public transit.

  • Commute Commute

    A low commute score could be due to longer-than-average work commutes and the limited availability of public transportation in this area.

  • Employment Employment

    In the employment category, a low score could be attributed to low income levels and high unemployment in the area, suggesting potential difficulties in finding lucrative employment.

  • Schools Schools

    The low schools score could result from issues like below-average graduation rates, inadequate reading and math scores, and the unavailability of local elementary and high schools.

What's it like Living in Raton?

Located in the state of New Mexico, Raton is a small city with a population of 6,164 inhabitants. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (84% White). Given that fact, Raton could be considered less diverse than other cities. Additionally, more than a quarter of the population of Raton are of Hispanic or Latino origin, and 18% of the population also speak Spanish. If you're not a fan of traffic congestion and long commute times to work, Raton is the place to be. Commutes to work here are shorter, with an average one-way commute time taking only 14 minutes, significantly lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

Without the right tools, relocating to any new town can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Raton, New Mexico could be a great experience for anyone who puts in the time to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. With useful information like amenities, crime, housing and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Raton and in the areas around Raton is a much easier task.

With a livability score of 71 out of 100, Raton is ranked #6,476 in the United States and #15 in New Mexico. For each of the livability categories, we can establish that Raton ranks very well for crime (B) and housing (A+). Unfortunately for Raton, there are some categories for which it does not score well, this includes: amenities (F), education (F) and employment (F).

Unemployment rates can vary significantly among cities, impacting job prospects, wage levels and the overall economic health of an area. In Raton, the unemployment rate stands at 1.1%, suggesting increased job opportunities and a heightened demand for workers. This scenario can lead to higher wages, as the demand for employees outpaces job availability. Importantly, a low unemployment rate often signifies a robust and flourishing 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 Raton 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.

Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Raton. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in Raton are affordable. Median real estate prices in Raton come in at $162,117, which is 42.8% lower than the New Mexico average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Raton, the home price to income ratio is 3.3, which is 21.4% lower than the New Mexico average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Raton

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Compare Raton, NM Livability

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      Raton transportation information

      Statistic Raton New Mexico National
      Average one way commute14min22min26min
      Workers who drive to work79.8%79.8%76.4%
      Workers who carpool15.4%10.1%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.0%1.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.7%0.6%
      Workers who walk2.9%2.2%2.8%
      Working from home1.7%4.7%4.6%
      Source: The Raton, 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.