South Valley is a small city of 37,601 in New Mexico, with a median household income of $44,670
and a 5.7% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 93 (US average = 100), which is
7% below the national average.
Strengths:
South Valley 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 South Valley is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All South Valley 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: 93.0
South Valley's overall cost of living index is 93.0,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in South Valley costs roughly 7% less than the average American city.
Metric
South Valley, NM
National Avg
Median Home Value
$184,400
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$873
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
71.6%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$44,670
$74,755
Crime & Safety
High Crime
South Valley's violent crime rate is 1086.7 per 100,000 residents
— 186% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
1086.7 /100k
Property Crime
4138.6 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
South Valley is served primarily by ALBUQUERQUE COLLEGIATE CHARTER SCHOOL.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 11.3:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
South Valley, NM
National Avg
School District
ALBUQUERQUE COLLEGIATE CHARTER SCHOOL
—
Elementary Schools
1
—
Middle Schools
N/A
—
High Schools
N/A
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
11.3:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
14.1%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
79.6%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
South Valley sees average highs of 51.1°F in January
and 92.5°F in July,
with 9.7 inches of annual precipitation
and 6.8 inches of snow per year.
South Valley's cost of living index is 93, where 100 is the national average.
That makes South Valley roughly 7% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $184,400 and median rent is $873/month.
South Valley's violent crime rate is 1086.7 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 4138.6 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in South Valley are operated by ALBUQUERQUE COLLEGIATE CHARTER SCHOOL.
The district has 1 elementary, several middle, and several high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 11.3:1. 14.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
South Valley, NM has a population of 37,601, a median household income of $44,670, and an unemployment rate of 5.7%.
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.
South Valley averages 51.1°F in January and 92.5°F in July. Annual rainfall is 9.7 inches
with about 6.8 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
South Valley, NM is covered by 1 ZIP code: 87105.
The population of South Valley, New Mexico is 37,601 with a median age of 39.7. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in South Valley: cost of living index 93 (100 = US average), median home $184,400, median household income $44,670, crime index 250 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare South Valley side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
