Mescalero is a small town of 891 in New Mexico, with a median household income of $29,359
and a 11.4% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 74 (US average = 100), which is
26% below the national average.
Strengths:
Mescalero stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B+), short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Mescalero is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Mescalero 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: 74.3
Mescalero's overall cost of living index is 74.3,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Mescalero costs roughly 26% less than the average American city.
Metric
Mescalero, NM
National Avg
Median Home Value
$32,500
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$242
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
67.9%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$29,359
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Mescalero's violent crime rate is 160.0 per 100,000 residents
— 58% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
160.0 /100k
Property Crime
1339.5 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Mescalero is served primarily by Mescalero Apache School.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 9.2:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Mescalero, NM
National Avg
School District
Mescalero Apache School
—
Elementary Schools
N/A
—
Middle Schools
N/A
—
High Schools
N/A
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
9.2:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
11.5%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
65.5%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Mescalero sees average highs of 48.0°F in January
and 80.7°F in July,
with 16.6 inches of annual precipitation
and 17.3 inches of snow per year.
Mescalero's cost of living index is 74, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Mescalero roughly 26% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $32,500 and median rent is $242/month.
Mescalero's violent crime rate is 160.0 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1339.5 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Mescalero are operated by Mescalero Apache School.
The district has several elementary, several middle, and several high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 9.2:1. 11.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Mescalero, NM has a population of 891, a median household income of $29,359, and an unemployment rate of 11.4%.
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.
Mescalero averages 48.0°F in January and 80.7°F in July. Annual rainfall is 16.6 inches
with about 17.3 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Mescalero, NM is covered by 1 ZIP code: 88340.
The population of Mescalero, New Mexico is 891 with a median age of 45.0. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Mescalero: cost of living index 74 (100 = US average), median home $32,500, median household income $29,359, crime index 51 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Mescalero side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.