What are the schools like in Hobbs, NM?

Hobbs is served primarily by HOBBS. The district operates 13 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, and 2 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 16.4:1.

What is the median household income in Hobbs?

The median household income in Hobbs, NM is $63,804 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 7.4%.

What is the weather like in Hobbs, NM?

Hobbs has an average high temperature of 55.1°F in January and 94.1°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 13.8 inches and annual snowfall averages 1.8 inches.

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

Q: Is Hobbs, NM affordable or expensive?

Hobbs's cost of living index is 94, where 100 represents the national average. This means Hobbs is 6% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $165,000 and the median rent is $1,067 per month.

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

Hobbs has a violent crime rate of 790.3 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 3751.4 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Hobbs, NM a Good Place to Live?

Hobbs is a small city of 39,782 in New Mexico, with a median household income of $63,804 and a 7.4% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 94 (US average = 100), which is 6% below the national average.

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

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include a higher-than-average crime index, an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Hobbs is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Hobbs 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: 94.2

Hobbs's overall cost of living index is 94.2, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Hobbs costs roughly 6% less than the average American city.

Metric	Hobbs, NM	National Avg
Median Home Value	$165,000	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$1,067	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	61.4%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$63,804	$74,755

Crime & Safety

High Crime

Hobbs's violent crime rate is 790.3 per 100,000 residents — 108% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

790.3 /100k

Property Crime

3751.4 /100k

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

Schools & Education

Hobbs is served primarily by HOBBS. The student-to-teacher ratio is 16.4:1 (slightly above the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Hobbs, NM	National Avg
School District	HOBBS	—
Elementary Schools	13	—
Middle Schools	3	—
High Schools	2	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	16.4:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	15.7%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	77.3%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Hobbs sees average highs of 55.1°F in January and 94.1°F in July, with 13.8 inches of annual precipitation and 1.8 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Hobbs, NM
Average High — January	55.1°F
Average High — July	94.1°F
Annual Precipitation	13.8"
Annual Snowfall	1.8"

Demographics

Metric	Hobbs, NM	National Avg
Population	39,782	—
Median Age	30.8	38.9
Unemployment Rate	7.4%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	24.0 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	57.7%	59.3%
Black or African American	5.9%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	33.2%	18.9%
Asian	1.0%	6.3%
Under 18	29.5%	22.2%
65 and over	10.3%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

North Hobbs, NM 4 mi Nadine, NM 9 mi Monument, NM 10 mi Lovington, NM 18 mi Eunice, NM 20 mi

ZIP Codes in Hobbs

Hobbs, NM is covered by 2 ZIP codes:

88240 88244

Hobbs vs Other Cities

Hobbs, NM vs North Hobbs, NM Hobbs, NM vs Nadine, NM Hobbs, NM vs Monument, NM Hobbs, NM vs Lovington, NM Hobbs, NM vs Eunice, NM

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hobbs, NM affordable or expensive?

Hobbs's cost of living index is 94, where 100 is the national average. That makes Hobbs roughly 6% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $165,000 and median rent is $1,067/month.

What is the crime rate in Hobbs, NM?

Hobbs's violent crime rate is 790.3 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 3751.4 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Hobbs?

Public schools in Hobbs are operated by HOBBS. The district has 13 elementary, 3 middle, and 2 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 16.4:1. 15.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Hobbs, NM a good place to live?

Hobbs, NM has a population of 39,782, a median household income of $63,804, and an unemployment rate of 7.4%. 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 Hobbs?

Hobbs averages 55.1°F in January and 94.1°F in July. Annual rainfall is 13.8 inches with about 1.8 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Hobbs?

Hobbs, NM is covered by 2 ZIP codes: 88240, 88244.

What is the population of Hobbs?

The population of Hobbs, New Mexico is 39,782 with a median age of 30.8. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Hobbs?

Key numbers for living in Hobbs: cost of living index 94 (100 = US average), median home $165,000, median household income $63,804, crime index 196 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated C+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Hobbs side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.