Sandia Heights 58 Below average
Sandia Heights Livability #137 ranked city in New Mexico#20,720 ranked city in the USARanks better than 29% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Sandia Heights

PROS
  • Crime Crime

    This area boasts a crime rate that is far below the national average, making it a very safe place to live. These crime statistics encompass both property and violent offenses.

  • Employment Employment

    With higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates, this area scores extremely well in the employment category.

  • Housing Housing

    Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    The majority of amenities will be difficult to reach within a short walk, often requiring residents to use a vehicle or public transportation for access.

  • Commute Commute

    Low commute scores could be due to limited access to public transit in this area, as well as longer-than-average work commute times for residents.

  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    This area is known for its high cost of living, which means you should anticipate higher costs for everyday goods and services, housing, groceries, and health care.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Subpar air quality and the limited availability of certain health-related facilities such as hospitals, police stations, doctors and pharmacies may have contributed to the low score in this category.

What's it like Living in Sandia Heights?

Sandia Heights, New Mexico is a small city with a population of 3,213 inhabitants. According to the most recent Census, 88% of Sandia Heights residents are White, 4% Black and 2% Asian. With an average age of 64 years, Sandia Heights residents appear to be older compared to the national average. For seniors and retirees, this city presents itself as a compelling choice. If finding a family friendly city is important to you, look no further. With more than 81% of the population considered married and 16% with kids under the age of 18, Sandia Heights could be considered a very suitable city for families.

Without the right tools, moving to any new city can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Sandia Heights, New Mexico could be a good experience for anyone who puts in the effort 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. To help you find the best places to live in and around Sandia Heights, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like crime, cost of living, commute, education, housing and more.

Sandia Heights has a livability score of 60 out of 100 and is ranked #102 in New Mexico and #17,668 in the USA. This is a lower than the US average livability score as Sandia Heights does not rank well for most categories. Based on the grades for each individual category, Sandia Heights has been rewarded with high marks for crime (A+) and housing (A+). There is at least one category that you should be aware of in Sandia Heights. The following was graded with a disappointing score: amenities (F) and cost of living (F).

Finding affordable real estate and housing in Sandia Heights can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.

Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Sandia Heights. 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 Sandia Heights are affordable. The median home price for Sandia Heights homes is $868,902, which is 206.5% higher than the New Mexico average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Sandia Heights, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 5.1, which is 21.4% higher than the New Mexico average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Sandia Heights

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      Sandia Heights transportation information

      Statistic Sandia Heights New Mexico National
      Average one way commute22min22min26min
      Workers who drive to work76.9%79.8%76.4%
      Workers who carpool6.6%10.1%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.0%1.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.8%0.7%0.6%
      Workers who walk0.0%2.2%2.8%
      Working from home15.8%4.7%4.6%
      Source: The Sandia Heights, 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.