Los Alamos 81 Exceptional
Los Alamos Livability #2 ranked city in New Mexico#1,227 ranked city in the USARanks better than 95% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in Los Alamos

PROS
  • Crime

    This area is characterized by a crime rate, per 100,000 individuals, that falls well below the national average, indicating its potential as a very safe place to live.

  • Employment

    This area scores extremely well in the employment category. This is primarily due to the combination of low unemployment rates, higher median home income and income per capita.

  • Housing

    The housing category in this area boasts higher than average scores, likely influenced by a positive home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Health & Safety

    Earning a high health and safety score depends on factors such as good air quality and the availability of essential health facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors, and fire stations.

CONS
  • Amenities

    It appears that many amenities may not be conveniently situated within walking distance, potentially necessitating the use of a vehicle or public transit.

  • Commute

    Commuters in this area may experience longer-than-average work commute times due to limited public transportation access.

New Real Estate Listings in Los Alamos Area
Search Homes for Sale in Los Alamos, NM

What's it like Living in Los Alamos?

Located in the state of New Mexico, Los Alamos is a medium-sized city with a population of 12,978 people. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (80% White). Given that fact, Los Alamos could be considered less diverse than other cities. If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in Los Alamos. With an average one way commute time of only 15 minutes, getting to and from work is a breeze compared to the national average of 26 minutes.

If you’re considering relocating to any new city, it could be a very intimidating task. However, it could also be a good experience if you are willing to get to know the area before actually living in Los Alamos, New Mexico. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. The best areas in Los Alamos and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from commute, health & safety, employment, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the New Mexico and national averages.

The livability score in Los Alamos is 80/100 and the city is ranked in the 96th percentile of all cities across America. This is a terrific score, as Los Alamos ranks well in multiple categories! Los Alamos also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities, which is no small feat! If we dig down a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Los Alamos has higher than average grades for the following: crime (A+), education (B) and housing (A+). The bad news for Los Alamos, there are some categories for which it does not rank well, this includes: amenities (F).

Crime rates can be the deciding factor for anyone looking to relocate to a new area, as the result is often a greater level of safety and security as well as an improved quality of life. Los Alamos gets top scores for their low violent crime rates of 47 crimes per 100,000 residents, which are significantly lower than the national average.

The Los Alamos unemployment rate of 1.87% 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.

A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Los Alamos has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.

Los Alamos 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 Los Alamos. The median home price for Los Alamos homes is $317,200, which is 96.3% higher than the New Mexico average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Los Alamos, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 2.8, which is 20% lower than the New Mexico average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Los Alamos

See all the best places to live around Los Alamos

How Do You Rate The Livability In Los Alamos?

1. Select a livability score between 1-100
0
Awful
25
Poor
50
Average
75
Good
100
Great
2. Select any tags that apply to this area
View results

Compare Los Alamos, NM Livability

      vs

      Los Alamos transportation information

      Statistic Los Alamos New Mexico National
      Average one way commute15min22min26min
      Workers who drive to work75.5%79.8%76.4%
      Workers who carpool8.0%10.1%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit2.4%1.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle3.5%0.7%0.6%
      Workers who walk3.5%2.2%2.8%
      Working from home6.2%4.7%4.6%
      Source: The Los Alamos, NM data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).