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
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
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.
Ratings
Based on recent surveys and polls, locals gave high marks in the walkability to local amenities, safety, public transit, friendliness of neighbors and overall sense of community in the area.
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
A low commute score could be due to longer-than-average work commutes and the limited availability of public transportation in this area.
Crime
This area reports elevated crime rates per 100,000 individuals, potentially pointing some areas being unsafe for its residents. Stats are based on both property and violent crimes.
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
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.
Located in the state of New Mexico, Portales is a mid-sized city with a population of 11,713 residents. According to the most recent Census, 71% of Portales residents are White, 4% Black and 1% American Indian and Alaskan. Additionally, more than a quarter of the population of Portales are of Hispanic or Latino origin, and 24% of the population also speak Spanish. The median age of all Portales residents is 27, which is well below the national average. This is a good indication that this city could be ideal for a younger demographic. All the single ladies and all the single fellas might want to take notice as only 45% of the Portales population is married. If you prefer shorter commutes, living in Portales will be a delight. With an average one-way commute time of just 16 minutes, traveling to and from work is notably more convenient than the national average, which stands at 26 minutes.
Without the right tools, relocating to any new area can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Portales, 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. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like amenities, cost of living, commute, education, employment, you can easily compare the best places to live in Portales and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Portales to New Mexico and the national average.
With a livability score of 66/100, Portales is ranked #10,255 in the United States and #41 in New Mexico. There are nine total categories that create the livability score. Portales ranks well for cost of living (A+) and housing (B-) There are some categories that Portales does not rank well for, including: amenities (F), crime (D-), education (F) and employment (F). It might be worth taking a closer look to determine why.
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 Portales 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.
There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Portales is actually affordable. The median home price for Portales homes is $117,100, which is 27.5% lower than the New Mexico average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Portales, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 2.8, which is 20% lower than the New Mexico average.
| Statistic | Portales | New Mexico | National |
| Average one way commute | 16min | 22min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 78.0% | 79.8% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 10.6% | 10.1% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.1% | 1.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.4% | 0.7% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 6.7% | 2.2% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 1.1% | 4.7% | 4.6% |
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