What are the schools like in Española, NM?

Española is served primarily by ESPANOLA. The district operates 11 elementary schools, 1 middle schools, and 1 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 9.9:1.

What is the median household income in Española?

The median household income in Española, NM is $44,427 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 5.3%.

What is the weather like in Española, NM?

Española has an average high temperature of 48.4°F in January and 91.3°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 10.8 inches and annual snowfall averages 10.7 inches.

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

Q: Is Española, NM affordable or expensive?

Española's cost of living index is 92, where 100 represents the national average. This means Española is 8% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $188,100 and the median rent is $739 per month.

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

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

Is Española, NM a Good Place to Live?

Española is a small city of 10,473 in New Mexico, with a median household income of $44,427 and a 5.3% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 92 (US average = 100), which is 8% below the national average.

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

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

All Española 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: 91.9

Española's overall cost of living index is 91.9, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Española costs roughly 8% less than the average American city.

Metric	Española, NM	National Avg
Median Home Value	$188,100	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$739	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	64.6%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$44,427	$74,755

Crime & Safety

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

Schools & Education

Española is served primarily by ESPANOLA. The student-to-teacher ratio is 9.9:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Española, NM	National Avg
School District	ESPANOLA	—
Elementary Schools	11	—
Middle Schools	1	—
High Schools	1	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	9.9:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	17.0%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	80.9%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Española sees average highs of 48.4°F in January and 91.3°F in July, with 10.8 inches of annual precipitation and 10.7 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Española, NM
Average High — January	48.4°F
Average High — July	91.3°F
Annual Precipitation	10.8"
Annual Snowfall	10.7"

Demographics

Metric	Española, NM	National Avg
Population	10,473	—
Median Age	35.6	38.9
Unemployment Rate	5.3%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	27.8 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	39.5%	59.3%
Black or African American	1.0%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	54.7%	18.9%
Asian	1.1%	6.3%
Under 18	25.1%	22.2%
65 and over	18.0%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Santa Cruz, NM 2 mi Sombrillo, NM 3 mi San Jose CDP (Rio Arriba County), NM 3 mi Santa Clara Pueblo, NM 3 mi Cuartelez, NM 3 mi

ZIP Codes in Española

Española, NM is covered by 1 ZIP code:

87532

Española vs Other Cities

Española, NM vs Santa Cruz, NM Española, NM vs Sombrillo, NM Española, NM vs San Jose CDP (Rio Arriba County), NM Española, NM vs Santa Clara Pueblo, NM Española, NM vs Cuartelez, NM

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Española, NM affordable or expensive?

Española's cost of living index is 92, where 100 is the national average. That makes Española roughly 8% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $188,100 and median rent is $739/month.

What is the crime rate in Española, NM?

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

What are the schools like in Española?

Public schools in Española are operated by ESPANOLA. The district has 11 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 9.9:1. 17.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Española, NM a good place to live?

Española, NM has a population of 10,473, a median household income of $44,427, and an unemployment rate of 5.3%. 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 Española?

Española averages 48.4°F in January and 91.3°F in July. Annual rainfall is 10.8 inches with about 10.7 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Española?

Española, NM is covered by 1 ZIP code: 87532.

What is the population of Española?

The population of Española, New Mexico is 10,473 with a median age of 35.6. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Española?

Key numbers for living in Española: cost of living index 92 (100 = US average), median home $188,100, median household income $44,427, schools rated B-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Española side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.