New Mexico is a beautiful, culturally rich state with much to offer. However, poverty is a serious problem in the Land of Enchantment, and the poorest cities in New Mexico suffer from high rates of it. According to a 2014 Business Insider article, New Mexico is the second poorest state in the nation, after Mississippi. The poverty rate here is 22%, and in the poorest counties in New Mexico, the rates can be even higher. Using Metasalary, which relies on census data, these places have the greatest level of financial hardship in our state.

Related Stories

You Can Get Pasta And A Slice Of Pizza In The Drive-Thru At This Quaint Eatery In New Mexico

You Can Get Pasta And A Slice Of Pizza In The Drive-Thru At This Quaint Eatery In New Mexico

You'll Never Look At Donuts The Same Way After Trying Amy's Donuts In New Mexico

You'll Never Look At Donuts The Same Way After Trying Amy's Donuts In New Mexico

This Cozy House Is The Best Home Base For Your Adventures In Albuquerque, New Mexico

This Cozy House Is The Best Home Base For Your Adventures In Albuquerque, New Mexico

Does this data confirm your own experiences with the poorest counties in New Mexico? Or were you surprised by some of the counties on this list? These places also contain some of the poorest cities in New Mexico, although that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to love about these areas. Share your thoughts in the comments.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

Poorest Counties in New Mexico

What are the richest counties in New Mexico?

Once you've learned all about the poorest counties in New Mexico, you might find yourself wondering about the places with the most money. Check out the richest counties in New Mexico, starting with Los Alamos County. The median household income here is $103,643, so the people of this community clearly do well for themselves. The second wealthiest county is Santa Fe County. The median income for households here is $52,696.

What are the safest cities in New Mexico?

When you're thinking about where to make your home in the Land of Enchantment, especially if you have kids, you're probably curious about where the safest cities in New Mexico are. For a town that's on the small side but not too tiny, head to Sunland Park. The population is over 15,000 there and still, there are nearly no violent crimes at all. For a bigger city that still has low crime, Rio Rancho is a great choice. It has about 94,000 people and features a violent crime rate that is over 41% lower than the average in the United States.

What are the most dangerous places in New Mexico?

While it's always good to know where to go to stay safe, it can also be very useful to know where some of the most dangerous places in New Mexico are. Española has the highest crime rate in the state, with 1 in 9 people becoming victims, so it is considered the most dangerous place to live. Gallup is next up, with an only slightly lowered rate, almost identical. This, of course, is not to say that these areas don't have plenty of good qualities, but you might want to be careful if you're walking around after dark.