8 Best Small Towns in New Mexico

New Mexico TRUE

New Mexico has a tendency to charm visitors who eventually put down roots here. Residents benefit from a low cost of living in a state that’s known for its majestic landscapes and natural amenities, from the colorful mesas to the bubbling hot springs, as well as the serene, auburn desert and dark, star-studded skies. 

When you factor in rich outdoor experiences, exciting employment opportunities in cutting-edge industries and deep-rooted cultural traditions, it’s easy to see the robust appeal of life in New Mexico. 

Beyond the state’s well-known, visitor-loved cities are smaller communities with populations under 40,000, where New Mexico’s culture runs deep. Ahead, discover eight small towns in New Mexico where residents enjoy plenty of room to roam. 

1. Clovis 

Chris Egbert and his family moved to Clovis a decade ago when he was stationed at Cannon Air Force Base. When he retired in 2018, he and his family enthusiastically decided to stay. 

“We love it here,” says Egbert, the founder of Operation Phoenix Outdoors, a nonprofit that gives back to veterans, military personnel and first responders by using the outdoors as therapy. “There are outstanding people who support the base and the military, plus beautiful sunsets and great schools.” 

His sons have participated in the marching band, which is on a hot streak, with a long tradition of winning the high school championships. 

Egbert says Clovis has wide open spaces for outdoors lovers, like trout lakes and beautiful parks, and there’s always something going on in town, including parades, concerts, rodeos at the events center and softball tournaments. “The Fourth of July fireworks are the best I’ve ever seen,” Egbert says.

The average home value in Clovis is $156,500 (Zillow, November 2023).

2. Los Lunas 

Lots of people are surprised that Los Lunas is actually a village. Those who live here enjoy views of the Manzano Mountains and have access to historic and cultural sites, including Spanish Colonial-era ruins and the Los Lunas Museum of Heritage & Arts. There are also plenty of great local restaurants as well as hiking trails. Plus, 

Albuquerque’s amenities are just 20 minutes away. 

Tractor Brewing, which brings the community together to enjoy local beers, craft cocktails and barbecue, was founded in Los Lunas in 1999, then moved its brewing operation to Albuquerque in 2014. A few years ago, with a desire to “head back to its roots,” Tractor Brewing reopened in Los Lunas, says Jeremy Kinter, events and marketing director. The community, he says, is enthusiastic about supporting local businesses. 

On any given night, neighbors gather for karaoke, live music and open mic nights, while enjoying seasonal cocktails and ciders, IPAs, and stouts. 

The average home value in Los Lunas is $295,500 (Zillow, November 2023).

3. Hobbs 

Located in the southeast corner of New Mexico and close to the Texas state line, Hobbs is a friendly, high-desert community with cowboy legends, rich Hispanic culture and community events that bring neighbors together. 

Hobbs residents appreciate the balance of big-city amenities and small-town feel. 

“There’s tons of great food here, from national chains to our local restaurants and breweries that do an amazing job,” says Aaron Ward, who moved to New Mexico five years ago with his wife and four kids after retiring from the U.S. Air Force. “There are also lots of employment opportunities, especially with oilfield work and oilfield support. On top of all that, the people in Hobbs still have that small-town appreciation for each other.” 

Ward, a car dealership general manager and the chairman of the Hobbs Chamber of Commerce, also touts the area’s amenities, from the top-ranked public Rockwind Community Links to the Center of Recreational Excellence, which is a state-of-the-art gym with an Olympic-size swimming pool, an indoor water park, a playground and a track. Hobbs is also all about hoops – there’s even a waiting list for tickets to watch the high school basketball team play, an indicator of how supportive the community is, Ward points out. 

From a well-established rodeo to community events like August Nites (a car show and cruise) and the Febrewary Beer & Wine Festival, Hobbs residents can always find something fun to do, Ward says.  

The average home value in Hobbs is $171,800 (Zillow, November 2023).

4. Tucumcari

In the northeast portion of the state is Tucumcari, home to Mesalands Community College, which features a dinosaur museum. Tucumcari has more than 1,200 hotel rooms because it is a long-time popular stop for travelers along Route 66. 

The city’s downtown is highlighted by more than 50 murals painted on district buildings. In addition, Tucumcari has quite a few popular independent restaurants, including Kix on 66, Watson’s BBQ and Del’s Restaurant. 

The average home value in Tucumcari is a comfortable $78,600 (Zillow, November 2023).

5. Chama

This village in the north-central part of the state is along the Rocky Mountains, about seven miles south of the New Mexico-Colorado border. The historic Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad offers train rides from Memorial Day weekend to mid-October, showcasing rugged mountain views around Chama.

Chama welcomes visitors, especially in the winter months, thanks to multiple opportunities to enjoy cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. During your visit, stay at one of the many bed-and-breakfasts available. Other outdoor recreation options include fishing local trout streams and lakes and hiking and mountain biking along many trails — including the Continental Divide Trail. 

The average home value in Chama is $290,700 (Zillow, November 2023).

6. Silver City

Officially classified as a town, Silver City is in southwest New Mexico and has a population nearing 10,000 residents. Several large festivals are hosted in Silver City, including Chicano Music Festival, Red Hot Children’s Fiesta and Red Paint Powwow.

The climate here includes clear mountain air, low humidity and four distinct seasons. Silver City is nestled against the 3.3 million-acre Gila National Forest and several area lakes. In addition, Silver City is home to Western New Mexico University, and many musicians and artists reside in the downtown district, which features about 30 galleries and art studios, along with buildings graced by beautiful murals. 

The average home value is around $192,500 (Zillow, November 2023).

7. Artesia

Developed largely by money from the oil and gas industry, the economy of Artesia today is also bolstered by the agriculture, dairy and tourism sectors. This southeast New Mexico city of 12,500 residents offers year-round sunshine without pollution or traffic congestion.

Popular recreation destinations for residents include an aquatic center, along with Baish Park and Jaycee Park. In addition, the community has recently invested heavily in its downtown area, which is now classified as a New Mexico MainStreet District.

The average home value in Artesia is $200,600 (Zillow, November 2023).

8. Bloomfield

In the northwest portion of the state is Bloomfield, with a population estimated at around 7,800 residents. The city’s economy is diverse, with strong sectors in oil and gas, alternative energy, retail and tourism, and more than 400 companies making up the business community.

The San Juan River courses along the city’s boundary and provides excellent fishing, kayaking and canoeing recreation. In addition, Bloomfield is an ideal center point to visit nearby attractions like Quality Waters, Navajo Lake State Park, Angel Peak Scenic Area and Salmon Ruins & Heritage Park.

The average home value is $203,000 (Zillow, November 2023).

Bonus: Enjoy These 8 Small-Town Experiences

1. Through the Flower Art Space is the creative heartbeat of Belen. Here, art lovers can get a rare glimpse of the life and work of feminist artist Judy Chicago and view rotating art exhibitions. Across the street, sip wine (including reds dedicated to Judy Chicago) at Jaramillo Vineyards’ tasting room. 

2. Hot pepper lovers from around the country converge in Hatch on Labor Day weekend to celebrate the world-famous Hatch Chile Festival. The festival is a chance to sample chile from that year’s harvest and chile recipes – if you can take the heat. 

3. Legend has it Norman Smith, a miner and general store owner, baked pies for westbound travelers in the 1920s and ’30s, giving way to the name of Pie Town. The Pie Town Pie Festival takes place the second Saturday in September. The rest of the year, though, you can get your fill at Pie-O-Neer. The pie puns don’t stop there; people refer to the route to town on Highway 60 as “PieWay 60.” 

4. The springtime Clovis Music Festival is worth planning your trip around. The festival brings big-name acts to the Curry County Events Center. Leading up to the main Friday and Saturday night concerts, local bands play at venues throughout Clovis. 

5. Outdoor lovers will find plenty of adventures close by in Farmington, from fly fishing to mountain biking. This area is a great launching point for exploring the state’s cultural parks and monuments, including Shiprock and Chaco Culture National Historic Park, which is known as the center of the ancient world. 

6. Time travel to Tucumcari, where Mesalands Community College’s Dinosaur Museum is home to the world’s largest collection of bronze skeletons and fossils. Museumgoers can also visit the New Mexico Route 66 Museum. 

7. The Historic Plaza Hotel in Las Vegas was known as the “Belle of the Southwest” when its doors first swung open in 1882. Spend the night in a lovingly restored Victorian guest room overlooking Plaza Park or enjoy some New Mexican fare like Frito pie at Prairie Hill Café. 

8. The Gallup MainStreet Arts & Cultural District is filled with artist studios, music venues and the historic El Morro Theatre, a historic Spanish Colonial-style theater that shows movies. Every second Saturday, the Gallup Arts Crawl takes place, and in the summer, there are nightly Native American dances.