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.
Portales is a moderately-sized city located in the state of New Mexico. The city has a population of 12,084 residents. If we look at the most recent Census, Portales is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Black and 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. In Portales, only 45% of people over the age of fifteen are married. This city could be a good option for singles ready to mingle. If you're not a fan of traffic congestion and long commute times to work, Portales is the place to be. Commutes to work here are shorter, with an average one-way commute time taking only 16 minutes, significantly lower than the national average of 26 minutes.
Living in Portales can be a positive experience for anyone moving to the area. Having said that, in the state of New Mexico, there are many desirable places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. The best areas in Portales and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from crime, health & safety, education, employment, housing, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the New Mexico and national averages.
Portales has a livability score of 66 out of 100 and is ranked #39 in New Mexico and #11,061 in the USA. If we check out each of the categories on their own, we see that Portales ranks well for cost of living (A+) and housing (A). There are some categories that Portales ranks poorly for, including: amenities (F), crime (F), education (F) and employment (F). It might be worth taking a closer look to determine why.
A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Portales excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.
Assuming that Portales meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Portales. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Portales are simply unattainable. The median home price for Portales homes is $204,971, which is 27.7% 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 3.3, which is 21.4% lower than the New Mexico average.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| 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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