Top 10 Worst Places to Live in New Mexico In 2025

Top 10 Worst Places to Live In New Mexico . Top 10 Worst Cities In New Mexico to Live, Raise a Family, Job or Retire. Top 10 Worst Towns in New Mexico. Top 10 Worst Villages in New Mexico. If you’re thinking about a move to New Mexico, here are the places you should avoid to live, retire or raise a family. 10 Most Dangerous Cities In New Mexico You Should Never Move To. Top 10 Worst Cities To Live In North Carolina. 10 Places in New Mexico You Should NEVER Move To.



TOP 10 WORST PLACES TO LIVE IN NEW MEXICO

1. BELEN

Located about 35 miles south of Albuquerque, Belen sits along the Rio Grande and is home to the Harvey House Museum, a historic train station and hotel. Belen is most dangerous and violent city in New Mexico.

The poverty rate of Belen is 23.3%, which is 66.43% higher than national average. The typical household in Belen earns $35448 a year, which is 47.48% lower than national average. Financial hardship is relatively common in the city as 1 in every 4 residents live below the poverty line.

The unemployment rate of Belen remained 10.4%, which is 121.28% higher than national rate.

The overall crime rate in city is 210.05% higher than national average. The violent crime rate in city is 423.17% higher than national average. Residents have 1 in 52 chance of being victim of violent crime. While the property crime rate of city is 167.82% higher than national average. Folks have 1 in 20 chance of being victim of property crime.

Population : 7476
Unemployment Rate : 10.4%
Poverty : 23.3%
Median Home Value : $105200
Median Home Income : $35448
Overall Score : 5/10

2. GALLUP

Known as the "Indian Capital of the World," Gallup is located about 140 miles west of Albuquerque and is situated near the confluence of the Rio Puerco and the Gallup Indian Reservation.  Gallup ranks 10th in poverty, 4th in overall crime, 2nd in violent crime and 7th in property crime in the state.

The poverty rate of Gallup is 33.7%, which is 140.71% higher than national average. The typical household in Gallup earns $45754 a year, which is 32.22% lower than national average.  1 in every 3 residents live below the poverty line, while more than 1 in every 7 area households lives on an income of less than $10,000 a year.

The unemployment rate of Gallup remained 7.3%, which is 55.32% higher than national rate.

The overall crime rate in city is 156.83% higher than national average. The violent crime rate in city is 357.58% higher than national average. While the property crime rate of city is 117.05% higher than national average. Folks have 1 in 24 chance of being victim of property crime.

Population : 21637
Unemployment Rate : 7.3%
Poverty : 33.7%
Median Home Value : $135500
Median Home Income : $45754
Overall Score : 3/10

3. DEMING

Located about 60 miles north of the Mexican border, Deming is situated along the Mimbres River and is known for its annual Duck Races. Deming ranks 9th in lowest median income, 3rd in overall crime, 7th in violent crime and 2nd in property crime in the state.

The poverty rate of Deming is 26.8%, which is 91.43% higher than national average. The typical household in Deming earns $28463 a year, which is 57.83% lower than national average.  1 in every 4 residents live below the poverty line, while more than 1 in every 6 area households lives on an income of less than $10,000 a year.
The unemployment rate of Deming remained 9.3%, which is 97.87% higher than national rate.

The overall crime rate in city is 160.72% higher than national average. The violent crime rate in city is 148.32% higher than national average. While the property crime rate of city is 163.18% higher than national average. Folks have 1 in 20 chance of being victim of property crime.

Population : 14083
Unemployment Rate : 9.3%
Poverty : 26.8%
Median Home Value : $88200
Median Home Income : $28463
Overall Score : 4/10

4. UNIVERSITY PARK

Located just north of Las Cruces, University Park is home to New Mexico State University and is situated along the Rio Grande. University Park ranks 2nd in unemployment, 1st in poverty and 1st in lowest median income in the New Mexico.

The poverty rate of University Park is 68.8%, which is 391.43% higher than national average. The typical household in University Park earns $15396 a year, which is 77.19% lower than national average.

Additionally, more than 1 in every 4 area households lives on an income of less than $10,000 a year. Nearly 92.9% of households earn less than $50,000 a year compared to 39% national rate.  1 in every 3 workers in University Park is unemployed. The unemployment rate of University Park remained 30.1%, which is 540.43% higher than national rate. The high jobless rate has likely contributed to the widespread poverty in the city.

Population : 2945
Unemployment Rate : 30.1%
Poverty : 68.8%
Median Home Value : $0
Median Home Income : $15396
Overall Score : 5/10

5. THOREAU

Located along historic Route 66, Thoreau is situated near the Continental Divide and is known for its scenic beauty. Thoreau ranks 5th in unemployment, 3rd in poverty and 2nd in lowest median income in the New Mexico.

The poverty rate of Thoreau is 61.1%, which is 336.43% higher than national average. The typical household in Thoreau earns $19792 a year, which is 70.68% lower than national average.  1 in every 2 residents live below the poverty line, while  1 in every 5 workers in Thoreau is unemployed.

Additionally, more than 1 in every 4 area households lives on an income of less than $10,000 a year. The unemployment rate of Thoreau remained 19.2%, which is 308.51% higher than national rate.

Population : 1641
Unemployment Rate : 19.2%
Poverty : 61.1%
Median Home Value : $57700
Median Home Income : $19792
Overall Score : 3/10

6. NAVAJO

Located on the Navajo Nation, Navajo is situated along the San Juan River and is home to the Navajo Agricultural Products Industry. Navajo ranks 8th in unemployment, 2nd in poverty and 3rd in lowest median income in the New Mexico.

The poverty rate of Navajo is 63%, which is 350% higher than national average. The typical household in Navajo earns $21500 a year, which is 68.15% lower than national average.  1 in every 2 residents live below the poverty line, while 1 in every 6 workers in Navajo is unemployed.

Additionally, more than 1 in every 3 area households lives on an income of less than $10,000 a year.  The unemployment rate of Navajo remained 16.8%, which is 257.45% higher than national rate.

Population : 1450
Unemployment Rate : 16.8%
Poverty : 63%
Median Home Value : $0
Median Home Income : $21500
Overall Score : 2/10

7. ANTHONY

Located about 20 miles north of El Paso, Texas, Anthony is situated along the Rio Grande and is known for its wineries and agricultural products. Anthony ranks  6th in poverty and lowest median income in the New Mexico.

The poverty rate of Anthony is 37.8%, which is 170% higher than national average. The typical household in Anthony earns $27625 a year, which is 59.07% lower than national average. 1 in every 3 residents live below the poverty line, whereas  1 in every 9 workers in Anthony is unemployed.

Additionally, more than 1 in every 7 area households lives on an income of less than $10,000 a year. In Anthony, only 49% of adults have a high school diploma, compared to the 87.7% of adults nationwide. The unemployment rate of Anthony remained 10.7%, which is 127.66% higher than national rate.



Population : 9283
Unemployment Rate : 10.7%
Poverty : 37.8%
Median Home Value : $93500
Median Home Income : $27625
Overall Score : 2/10

8. SUNLAND PARK

 Located just west of El Paso, Texas, Sunland Park is situated along the Rio Grande and is home to the Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino. Sunland Park ranks 14th in poverty and 23rd in violent crime in the state.

The poverty rate of Sunland Park is 32.7%, which is 133.57% higher than national average. 1 in every 3 residents live below the poverty line, well above the national poverty rate of 14.1%.

Additionally, more than 1 in every 7 area households lives on an income of less than $10,000 a year. The unemployment rate of Sunland Park remained 5.2%, which is 10.64% higher than national rate.

The violent crime rate in city is 34.2% higher than national average. Residents have 1 in 183 chance of being victim of violent crime.

Population : 17581
Unemployment Rate : 5.2%
Poverty : 32.7%
Median Home Value : $130200
Median Home Income : $33342
Overall Score : 4/10

9. HATCH

Located about 40 miles north of Las Cruces, Hatch is situated along the Rio Grande and is known for its famous chile peppers. Hatch ranks 7th in unemployment, 5th in poverty and 4th in lowest median income in the New Mexico.

The poverty rate of Hatch is 42.6%, which is 204.29% higher than national average. The typical household in Hatch earns $24167 a year, which is 64.2% lower than national average. 1 in every 2 residents live below the poverty line, while 1 in every 6 workers in Hatch is unemployed.

Additionally, more than 1 in every 8 area households lives on an income of less than $10,000 a year. In Hatch, only 57% of adults have a high school diploma, compared to the 87.7% of adults nationwide. The unemployment rate of Hatch remained 17.1%, which is 263.83% higher than national rate.

Population : 1955
Unemployment Rate : 17.1%
Poverty : 42.6%
Median Home Value : $83100
Median Home Income : $24167
Overall Score : 1/10

10. BLOOMFIELD

Located about 10 miles east of Farmington, Bloomfield is situated along the San Juan River and is known for its outdoor recreation opportunities, including fishing and hiking. Bloomfield is one of the most violent city in the state.

The poverty rate of Bloomfield is 18.5%, which is 32.14% higher than national average. The typical household in Bloomfield earns $50450 a year, which is 25.26% lower than national average.

The overall crime rate in city is 26.98% higher than national average. The violent crime rate in city is 313.17% higher than national average. Residents have 1 in 61 chance of being victim of violent crime.

Population : 7791
Unemployment Rate : 1.7%
Poverty : 18.5%
Median Home Value : $147300
Median Home Income : $50450
Overall Score : 6/10

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• Gallup
 
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• Bloomfield