What are the schools like in Chaparral, NM?

Chaparral is served primarily by GADSDEN. The district operates 14 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, and 5 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 13.5:1.

What is the median household income in Chaparral?

The median household income in Chaparral, NM is $44,219 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 8.0%.

What is the weather like in Chaparral, NM?

Chaparral has an average high temperature of 57.2°F in January and 94.3°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 10.8 inches.

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

Q: Is Chaparral, NM affordable or expensive?

Chaparral's cost of living index is 88, where 100 represents the national average. This means Chaparral is 12% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $90,200 and the median rent is $754 per month.

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

Chaparral has a violent crime rate of 545.4 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 3165.1 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Chaparral, NM a Good Place to Live?

Chaparral is a small city of 15,290 in New Mexico, with a median household income of $44,219 and a 8.0% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 88 (US average = 100), which is 12% below the national average.

Strengths: Chaparral stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B-).

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

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

Cost of Living

Index: 88.4

Chaparral's overall cost of living index is 88.4, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Chaparral costs roughly 12% less than the average American city.

Metric	Chaparral, NM	National Avg
Median Home Value	$90,200	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$754	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	70.7%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$44,219	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Higher than Average

Chaparral's violent crime rate is 545.4 per 100,000 residents — 44% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

545.4 /100k

Property Crime

3165.1 /100k

Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.

Schools & Education

Chaparral is served primarily by GADSDEN. The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.5:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Chaparral, NM	National Avg
School District	GADSDEN	—
Elementary Schools	14	—
Middle Schools	3	—
High Schools	5	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	13.5:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	11.0%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	65.0%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Chaparral sees average highs of 57.2°F in January and 94.3°F in July, with 10.8 inches of annual precipitation .

Metric	Chaparral, NM
Average High — January	57.2°F
Average High — July	94.3°F
Annual Precipitation	10.8"
Annual Snowfall	Trace / None

Demographics

Metric	Chaparral, NM	National Avg
Population	15,290	—
Median Age	31.3	38.9
Unemployment Rate	8.0%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	37.6 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	45.6%	59.3%
Black or African American	1.6%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	51.4%	18.9%
Asian	0.4%	6.3%
Under 18	29.1%	22.2%
65 and over	12.3%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Anthony, NM 11 mi Westway, TX 12 mi Anthony, TX 12 mi Vinton, TX 12 mi Berino, NM 13 mi

ZIP Codes in Chaparral

Chaparral, NM is covered by 1 ZIP code:

88081

Chaparral vs Other Cities

Chaparral, NM vs Anthony, NM Chaparral, NM vs Westway, TX Chaparral, NM vs Anthony, TX Chaparral, NM vs Vinton, TX Chaparral, NM vs Berino, NM

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chaparral, NM affordable or expensive?

Chaparral's cost of living index is 88, where 100 is the national average. That makes Chaparral roughly 12% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $90,200 and median rent is $754/month.

What is the crime rate in Chaparral, NM?

Chaparral's violent crime rate is 545.4 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 3165.1 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Chaparral?

Public schools in Chaparral are operated by GADSDEN. The district has 14 elementary, 3 middle, and 5 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.5:1. 11.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Chaparral, NM a good place to live?

Chaparral, NM has a population of 15,290, a median household income of $44,219, and an unemployment rate of 8.0%. It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. 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 Chaparral?

Chaparral averages 57.2°F in January and 94.3°F in July. Annual rainfall is 10.8 inches . Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Chaparral?

Chaparral, NM is covered by 1 ZIP code: 88081.

What is the population of Chaparral?

The population of Chaparral, New Mexico is 15,290 with a median age of 31.3. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Chaparral?

Key numbers for living in Chaparral: cost of living index 88 (100 = US average), median home $90,200, median household income $44,219, crime index 146 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Chaparral side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.