What are the schools like in Columbus, NM?

Columbus is served primarily by DEMING. The district operates 6 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 4 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 14.0:1.

What is the median household income in Columbus?

The median household income in Columbus, NM is $26,549 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 13.7%.

What is the weather like in Columbus, NM?

Columbus has an average high temperature of 59.1°F in January and 96.3°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 9.3 inches and annual snowfall averages 0.2 inches.

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

Q: Is Columbus, NM affordable or expensive?

Columbus's cost of living index is 82, where 100 represents the national average. This means Columbus is 18% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $77,000 and the median rent is $381 per month.

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

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

Is Columbus, NM a Good Place to Live?

Columbus is a small town of 1,281 in New Mexico, with a median household income of $26,549 and a 13.7% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 82 (US average = 100), which is 18% below the national average.

Strengths: Columbus stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices.

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

All Columbus 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: 82.2

Columbus's overall cost of living index is 82.2, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Columbus costs roughly 18% less than the average American city.

Metric	Columbus, NM	National Avg
Median Home Value	$77,000	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$381	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	56.2%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$26,549	$74,755

Crime & Safety

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

Schools & Education

Columbus is served primarily by DEMING. The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.0:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Columbus, NM	National Avg
School District	DEMING	—
Elementary Schools	6	—
Middle Schools	2	—
High Schools	4	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	14.0:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	12.5%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	45.7%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Columbus sees average highs of 59.1°F in January and 96.3°F in July, with 9.3 inches of annual precipitation and 0.2 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Columbus, NM
Average High — January	59.1°F
Average High — July	96.3°F
Annual Precipitation	9.3"
Annual Snowfall	0.2"

Demographics

Metric	Columbus, NM	National Avg
Population	1,281	—
Median Age	31.4	38.9
Unemployment Rate	13.7%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	26.6 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	69.3%	59.3%
Black or African American	0.0%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	30.7%	18.9%
Asian	0.0%	6.3%
Under 18	33.1%	22.2%
65 and over	13.8%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

City of the Sun, NM 1 mi Sunshine, NM 23 mi La Hacienda, NM 27 mi Pulpotio Bareas, NM 28 mi Mountain View CDP (Luna County), NM 28 mi

ZIP Codes in Columbus

Columbus, NM is covered by 1 ZIP code:

88029

Columbus vs Other Cities

Columbus, NM vs City of the Sun, NM Columbus, NM vs Sunshine, NM Columbus, NM vs La Hacienda, NM Columbus, NM vs Pulpotio Bareas, NM Columbus, NM vs Mountain View CDP (Luna County), NM

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Columbus, NM affordable or expensive?

Columbus's cost of living index is 82, where 100 is the national average. That makes Columbus roughly 18% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $77,000 and median rent is $381/month.

What is the crime rate in Columbus, NM?

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

What are the schools like in Columbus?

Public schools in Columbus are operated by DEMING. The district has 6 elementary, 2 middle, and 4 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.0:1. 12.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Columbus, NM a good place to live?

Columbus, NM has a population of 1,281, a median household income of $26,549, and an unemployment rate of 13.7%. 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 Columbus?

Columbus averages 59.1°F in January and 96.3°F in July. Annual rainfall is 9.3 inches with about 0.2 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Columbus?

Columbus, NM is covered by 1 ZIP code: 88029.

What is the population of Columbus?

The population of Columbus, New Mexico is 1,281 with a median age of 31.4. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Columbus?

Key numbers for living in Columbus: cost of living index 82 (100 = US average), median home $77,000, median household income $26,549, schools rated C+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Columbus side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.