Cost of Living in Lovington, NM

Population 11,444 · New Mexico · Data vintage 2023

64
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Lovington offers a notably favorable income-to-housing ratio for its region. The typical home — $163,000 — costs less than 2.4 times median household income of $67,284, a threshold many coastal markets passed a decade ago. A poverty rate near 23% adds context to the income figures — well above the US average, and worth factoring into any comparison with cities on the coasts or in the Rockies.

Located 95 miles northwest of Odessa, Lovington is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 22% lower than Odessa's $208,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 53
Rent 81

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Lovington

The median home value in Lovington is $162,900 — 47% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,063/month, 19% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $67,284/year is 10% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 7.8%, above the national average of 4.8%. New Mexico's top state income tax rate is 5.9% and the combined sales tax is 7.7%. The climate averages highs of 77.8°F and lows of 48.9°F. Overall, Lovington has a cost of living index of 64 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 36% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$162,900
47% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$178,602
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,063/mo
19% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
12.8x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
0.8%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$678
1 BR
$790
2 BR
$933
3 BR
$1,307
4 BR
$1,549
Owner-occupied 71.5%
Renter-occupied 28.5%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,063
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,677/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
32.3 min
20% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
9.4%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
68.0%
Carpooled
21.6%
Work from home
9.4%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 5.9%
Total Sales Tax 7.7%
State rate 5.0%
Avg local rate 2.7%
Property Tax 0.8%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$67,284
10% below avg
Per Capita Income
$24,748
Unemployment Rate
7.8%
61% above avg
Poverty Rate
23.4%
Labor Force Participation
58.8%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 6.5%
Graduate degree 3.1%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 33
Male median age 29.9
Female median age 33.2

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
77.8°F
Avg Low
48.9°F
Annual Precip
12.1"
20° 40° 60° 80° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 586371808896959487786657
Low °F 303440485766696861493730
Precip" 0.370.420.540.451.151.191.761.652.580.890.530.52

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 45 — Good
64.6%
Good air days/yr
133
Max AQI recorded
74
PM2.5 days
287
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

83%
4-Year Graduation Rate
18.4:1
Student-teacher ratio
10
Public schools
3,810
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Lovington, NM?

Lovington has a cost index of 64 (100 = national average). It is 36% below the national average.

What is average rent in Lovington, NM?

The median gross rent in Lovington is $1,063 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Lovington?

The median home value in Lovington is $162,900 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Lovington?

The median household income in Lovington is $67,284 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Lovington, NM?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Lovington is 7.7%. The New Mexico state income tax top rate is 5.9%.

Is Lovington, NM affordable?

Yes, Lovington is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 64 — about 36% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Lovington?

Lovington has average high temperatures of 77.8°F and average lows of 48.9°F. Annual precipitation is 12.1". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Lovington at a Glance

Population
11,444
Median Income
$67,284
Home Value
$162,900
Median Rent
$1,063/mo
Unemployment
7.8%
Avg High Temp
77.8°F
Sales Tax
7.7%
View all cities in New Mexico →
🗺️ County data for New Mexico

Explore county-level cost of living data

Similar Cost Cities

Cities in other states with comparable housing costs