What are the schools like in Chama, NM?

Chama is served primarily by CHAMA VALLEY. The district operates 2 elementary schools, several middle schools, and 1 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 9.7:1.

What is the median household income in Chama?

The median household income in Chama, NM is $40,521 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 18.2%.

What is the weather like in Chama, NM?

Chama has an average high temperature of 37.5°F in January and 80.4°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 22.4 inches and annual snowfall averages 91.9 inches.

Chama, NM Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: What is the crime rate in Chama, NM?

Crime rate data for Chama is not currently available from the FBI's reported data.

Is Chama, NM a Good Place to Live?

Chama is a small town of 801 in New Mexico, with a median household income of $40,521 and a 18.2% unemployment rate.

Strengths: Chama stands out for below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B+), short average commutes.

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Chama is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Chama city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Cost of living data is based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities for the Chama metro area.

Metric	Chama, NM	National Avg
Median Home Value	$175,300	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	N/A	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	79.7%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$40,521	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Crime data for Chama is not currently available from the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program. Not all local agencies report to the UCR each year.

Schools & Education

Chama is served primarily by CHAMA VALLEY. The student-to-teacher ratio is 9.7:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Chama, NM	National Avg
School District	CHAMA VALLEY	—
Elementary Schools	2	—
Middle Schools	N/A	—
High Schools	1	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	9.7:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	15.7%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	79.2%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Chama sees average highs of 37.5°F in January and 80.4°F in July, with 22.4 inches of annual precipitation and 91.9 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Chama, NM
Average High — January	37.5°F
Average High — July	80.4°F
Annual Precipitation	22.4"
Annual Snowfall	91.9"

Demographics

Metric	Chama, NM	National Avg
Population	801	—
Median Age	59.1	38.9
Unemployment Rate	18.2%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	15.8 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	36.2%	59.3%
Black or African American	0.0%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	62.0%	18.9%
Asian	0.0%	6.3%
Under 18	5.4%	22.2%
65 and over	29.6%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Brazos, NM 10 mi Los Ojos, NM 11 mi Ensenada, NM 11 mi Tierra Amarilla, NM 13 mi Lumberton, NM 20 mi

ZIP Codes in Chama

Chama, NM is covered by 1 ZIP code:

87520

Chama vs Other Cities

Chama, NM vs Brazos, NM Chama, NM vs Los Ojos, NM Chama, NM vs Ensenada, NM Chama, NM vs Tierra Amarilla, NM Chama, NM vs Lumberton, NM

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chama, NM affordable or expensive?

Chama has a median home value of $175,300 and median rent of N/A/month against a median household income of $40,521.

What is the crime rate in Chama, NM?

Crime data for Chama is not available in the current FBI UCR reporting year. Not all jurisdictions submit data annually.

What are the schools like in Chama?

Public schools in Chama are operated by CHAMA VALLEY. The district has 2 elementary, several middle, and 1 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 9.7:1. 15.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Chama, NM a good place to live?

Chama, NM has a population of 801, a median household income of $40,521, and an unemployment rate of 18.2%. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in Chama?

Chama averages 37.5°F in January and 80.4°F in July. Annual rainfall is 22.4 inches with about 91.9 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Chama?

Chama, NM is covered by 1 ZIP code: 87520.

What is the population of Chama?

The population of Chama, New Mexico is 801 with a median age of 59.1. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Chama?

Key numbers for living in Chama: median home $175,300, median household income $40,521, schools rated B+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Chama side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.