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Retirement community in South Valley, New Mexico

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South Valley, New Mexico Retirement Guide

37

Retirement Score

South Valley, New Mexico at a Glance

Median Home Price
$184,400
State Income Tax
State income tax; Social Security partially exempt; limited pension exemption.
Avg January Low
21.8°F
Cost of Living Index
90.9 (US avg = 100)
RetireCityIQ Score
37 / 100

Overview

Explore the key retirement factors for South Valley, New Mexico, including cost of living, taxes, healthcare quality, and climate data.

Cost of Living

Affordability Metrics

Cost of Living Index
90.9 (U.S. avg = 100)Low confidence
BEA Regional Price Parities · Updated May 2026
Median Household Income
$44,670High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

South Valley's cost of living is 9.099999999999994% below the national average. For a detailed breakdown of expenses, see our cost of living methodology.

Housing

Real Estate & Housing

Median Home Price
$184,400High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Median Monthly Rent
$873High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Owner-Occupied Housing
71.6%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

10-Year Housing Stress Test (Estimate)

Estimate monthly homeowner carrying cost in South Valley using median home price and adjustable assumptions. Stress case applies +10% property tax, +20% insurance, +10% maintenance.

Estimated monthly carrying cost

$400

Stress-case monthly carrying cost

$449

Median home price used: $184,400

Median rent reference: $873 / month

Estimate includes property tax, insurance, maintenance reserve, and HOA. It excludes mortgage, utilities, and one-time transaction costs.

Budget validation

Calculate if your savings last in this city

Use RetireFree to test whether your portfolio can support retirement in South Valley, New Mexico after local housing costs, taxes, healthcare, inflation, and withdrawal timing.

Open the RetireFree Calculator →

Healthcare

Access & Quality

Healthcare Access Score
Care Access (Proxy)
0 / 100Estimated
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026
Aging-in-Place Score
18.1 / 100Estimated
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026

Quality of care and specialist availability are critical for a successful retirement. South Valley scores 0 out of 100 for healthcare access.

Care planning link

Find local assisted living in South Valley

If your city research includes aging parents, future care needs, or a move closer to family, compare local care options alongside housing and healthcare access.

Assisted living in South Valley →

Taxes

State Tax Climate

Retirement Tax Score
30 / 100High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated October 2026
Tax Details
State income tax; Social Security partially exempt; limited pension exemption.High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated October 2026

New Mexico has a tax environment that is moderate for retirees.

Climate

Weather & Environment

Avg July High
Avg January Low
Annual Precipitation
Sunny Days / Year

With 315.5 sunny days a year and an average January low of 21.8°F, South Valley offers a traditional winter climate.

Safety & Walkability

Community Safety

Safety Score
37.3 / 100Low confidence
FBI Crime Data Explorer · Updated June 2026

Walkability

Walk Score (proxy)
6.4 / 100Low confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026
Transit Score (proxy)
2.1 / 100Low confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026

Demographics

Population Profile

Population
37,601High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Median Age
39.7High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Age 65+
19.1%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Veterans
7.1%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Bachelor's Degree+
14.1%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

Diversity Breakdown

White
48.2%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Black
0.7%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Hispanic/Latino
81.9%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026
Asian
0.2%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated October 2026

Frequently asked questions about retiring in South Valley

What is the cost of living in South Valley, New Mexico for retirees?▾

The cost-of-living index is 91, roughly 9% below the national average of 100. Median home price is around $184,400.

Does New Mexico tax Social Security or retirement income?▾

For New Mexico residents: State income tax; Social Security partially exempt; limited pension exemption.

What is the climate like in South Valley, New Mexico?▾

South Valley, New Mexico has January average low around 22°F, July average high around 91°F. Climate normals are based on 30-year averages from NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information.

What is healthcare access like in South Valley, New Mexico?▾

South Valley scores 0/100 on the RetireCityIQ healthcare access index — a limited score. The index combines CMS hospital quality ratings, Medicare Advantage plan availability, and hospitals per 100,000 residents (KFF + CMS data).

Interested in South Valley? Talk to a Local Expert.

State Preferences (select all that interest you)

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