What are the schools like in Dexter, NM?

Dexter is served primarily by DEXTER. The district operates 1 elementary schools, 1 middle schools, and 1 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 14.8:1.

What is the median household income in Dexter?

The median household income in Dexter, NM is $48,750 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 9.6%.

What is the weather like in Dexter, NM?

Dexter has an average high temperature of 57.3°F in January and 96.5°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 11.6 inches and annual snowfall averages 9.6 inches.

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

Q: Is Dexter, NM affordable or expensive?

Dexter's cost of living index is 87, where 100 represents the national average. This means Dexter is 13% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $96,200 and the median rent is $632 per month.

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

Dexter has a violent crime rate of 701.1 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 2145.0 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Dexter, NM a Good Place to Live?

Dexter is a small town of 1,025 in New Mexico, with a median household income of $48,750 and a 9.6% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 87 (US average = 100), which is 13% below the national average.

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

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

All Dexter 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: 87.3

Dexter's overall cost of living index is 87.3, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Dexter costs roughly 13% less than the average American city.

Metric	Dexter, NM	National Avg
Median Home Value	$96,200	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$632	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	85.4%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$48,750	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Higher than Average

Dexter's violent crime rate is 701.1 per 100,000 residents — 84% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

701.1 /100k

Property Crime

2145.0 /100k

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

Schools & Education

Dexter is served primarily by DEXTER. The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.8:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Dexter, NM	National Avg
School District	DEXTER	—
Elementary Schools	1	—
Middle Schools	1	—
High Schools	1	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	14.8:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	2.8%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	55.2%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Dexter sees average highs of 57.3°F in January and 96.5°F in July, with 11.6 inches of annual precipitation and 9.6 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Dexter, NM
Average High — January	57.3°F
Average High — July	96.5°F
Annual Precipitation	11.6"
Annual Snowfall	9.6"

Demographics

Metric	Dexter, NM	National Avg
Population	1,025	—
Median Age	34.7	38.9
Unemployment Rate	9.6%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	18.5 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	61.7%	59.3%
Black or African American	0.0%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	36.5%	18.9%
Asian	0.0%	6.3%
Under 18	28.9%	22.2%
65 and over	16.2%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Hagerman, NM 6 mi Midway, NM 9 mi Lake Arthur, NM 14 mi Roswell, NM 15 mi Morningside, NM 23 mi

Dexter vs Other Cities

Dexter, NM vs Hagerman, NM Dexter, NM vs Midway, NM Dexter, NM vs Lake Arthur, NM Dexter, NM vs Roswell, NM Dexter, NM vs Morningside, NM

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Dexter, NM affordable or expensive?

Dexter's cost of living index is 87, where 100 is the national average. That makes Dexter roughly 13% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $96,200 and median rent is $632/month.

What is the crime rate in Dexter, NM?

Dexter's violent crime rate is 701.1 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 2145.0 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Dexter?

Public schools in Dexter are operated by DEXTER. The district has 1 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.8:1. 2.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Dexter, NM a good place to live?

Dexter, NM has a population of 1,025, a median household income of $48,750, and an unemployment rate of 9.6%. 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 Dexter?

Dexter averages 57.3°F in January and 96.5°F in July. Annual rainfall is 11.6 inches with about 9.6 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What is the population of Dexter?

The population of Dexter, New Mexico is 1,025 with a median age of 34.7. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Dexter?

Key numbers for living in Dexter: cost of living index 87 (100 = US average), median home $96,200, median household income $48,750, crime index 152 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated C+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Dexter side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.