What are the schools like in Tucumcari, NM?

Tucumcari is served primarily by TUCUMCARI. The district operates 1 elementary schools, 1 middle schools, and 1 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 14.5:1.

What is the median household income in Tucumcari?

The median household income in Tucumcari, NM is $34,424 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 4.4%.

What is the weather like in Tucumcari, NM?

Tucumcari has an average high temperature of 53.4°F in January and 94.5°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 16.3 inches and annual snowfall averages 14.9 inches.

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

Q: Is Tucumcari, NM affordable or expensive?

Tucumcari's cost of living index is 85, where 100 represents the national average. This means Tucumcari is 15% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $54,000 and the median rent is $672 per month.

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

Tucumcari has a violent crime rate of 48.5 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 266.6 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Tucumcari, NM a Good Place to Live?

Tucumcari is a small town of 5,206 in New Mexico, with a median household income of $34,424 and a 4.4% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 85 (US average = 100), which is 15% below the national average.

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

Trade-offs: No major red flags stand out in the available data. Whether Tucumcari is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Tucumcari 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: 85.0

Tucumcari's overall cost of living index is 85.0, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Tucumcari costs roughly 15% less than the average American city.

Metric	Tucumcari, NM	National Avg
Median Home Value	$54,000	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$672	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	61.0%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$34,424	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Very Safe

Tucumcari's violent crime rate is 48.5 per 100,000 residents — 87% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

48.5 /100k

Property Crime

266.6 /100k

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

Schools & Education

Tucumcari is served primarily by TUCUMCARI. The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.5:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Tucumcari, NM	National Avg
School District	TUCUMCARI	—
Elementary Schools	1	—
Middle Schools	1	—
High Schools	1	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	14.5:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	13.6%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	81.0%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Tucumcari sees average highs of 53.4°F in January and 94.5°F in July, with 16.3 inches of annual precipitation and 14.9 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Tucumcari, NM
Average High — January	53.4°F
Average High — July	94.5°F
Annual Precipitation	16.3"
Annual Snowfall	14.9"

Demographics

Metric	Tucumcari, NM	National Avg
Population	5,206	—
Median Age	39.5	38.9
Unemployment Rate	4.4%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	12.9 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	64.7%	59.3%
Black or African American	4.3%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	26.5%	18.9%
Asian	1.0%	6.3%
Under 18	23.9%	22.2%
65 and over	15.4%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Logan, NM 19 mi San Jon, NM 21 mi Conchas Dam, NM 30 mi Grady, NM 33 mi Newkirk, NM 33 mi

ZIP Codes in Tucumcari

Tucumcari, NM is covered by 1 ZIP code:

88401

Tucumcari vs Other Cities

Tucumcari, NM vs Logan, NM Tucumcari, NM vs San Jon, NM Tucumcari, NM vs Conchas Dam, NM Tucumcari, NM vs Grady, NM Tucumcari, NM vs Newkirk, NM

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Tucumcari, NM affordable or expensive?

Tucumcari's cost of living index is 85, where 100 is the national average. That makes Tucumcari roughly 15% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $54,000 and median rent is $672/month.

What is the crime rate in Tucumcari, NM?

Tucumcari's violent crime rate is 48.5 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 266.6 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Tucumcari?

Public schools in Tucumcari are operated by TUCUMCARI. The district has 1 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.5:1. 13.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Tucumcari, NM a good place to live?

Tucumcari, NM has a population of 5,206, a median household income of $34,424, and an unemployment rate of 4.4%. 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 Tucumcari?

Tucumcari averages 53.4°F in January and 94.5°F in July. Annual rainfall is 16.3 inches with about 14.9 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Tucumcari?

Tucumcari, NM is covered by 1 ZIP code: 88401.

What is the population of Tucumcari?

The population of Tucumcari, New Mexico is 5,206 with a median age of 39.5. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Tucumcari?

Key numbers for living in Tucumcari: cost of living index 85 (100 = US average), median home $54,000, median household income $34,424, crime index 13 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated C+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Tucumcari side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.