City Comparison
Artesia vs Chaparral
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Artesia scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Artesia
Chaparral
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Chaparral is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
9% lower than in Artesia.
Housing costs are a major driver: Artesia's average rent is
22% higher than Chaparral's.
| Metric | Artesia | Chaparral | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,100 | $900 | +22% |
| Groceries | $380 | $380 | 0% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $115 | $140 | -18% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $220 | +5% |
| Monthly Total | $2,000 | $1,815 | +10% |
| Cost Index | 91 | 84 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Artesia offers 39% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Artesia delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Artesia is estimated at
$48,000 vs $42,000 in Chaparral.
| Metric | Artesia | Chaparral |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,000 | $44,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,033 idx | 52,381 idx |
| Household Income | $58,500 | $46,017 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.5°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Artesia sees 0.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Artesia | Chaparral |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 66.30°F | 65.80°F |
| Summer High | 95.00°F | 93.80°F |
| Winter Low | 33.70°F | 36.80°F |
| Rainfall | 11.90 in | 8.40 in |
| Snowfall | 2.50 in | 2.20 in |
| Sunny Days | 325 | 331 |
| Humidity | 38.00% | 35.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Artesia has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to Chaparral.
Artesia scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Artesia leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Artesia | Chaparral |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 30 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 28.00 | 42.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Chaparral is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Artesia.
From a growth perspective, Chaparral is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Artesia has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Artesia | Chaparral |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 12,300 | 18,186 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.91% |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 31.6 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 5.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Artesia
Advantages
Affordable housing market with median home prices below the national average per US Census data.
Strong local economy anchored by the thriving Permian Basin energy and refining sector.
Low average commute times and minimal traffic congestion compared to major metropolitan areas.
Rich cultural heritage featuring a vibrant historic downtown and prominent public art installations.
Proximity to world-class natural attractions such as Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Lincoln National Forest.
Drawbacks
Arid climate with high summer temperatures exceeding 95°F regularly.
High dependence on the oil and gas industry makes the local economy susceptible to commodity price fluctuations.
Limited public transportation infrastructure requires high car dependency.
Limited retail and entertainment options compared to larger urban centers.
Geographic isolation from major metropolitan healthcare and cultural hubs.
Chaparral
Advantages
Home values are significantly lower than the U.S. average, with typical properties valued around $228,000 per Zillow data.
Enjoy an abundance of sunshine with approximately 331 sunny days per year under an appealing desert climate.
Strategic location in the Borderplex region offers close proximity to El Paso employment and military bases.
A remarkably young and vibrant community with a median age of 31.6 years per U.S. Census data.
Cost of living and everyday goods are notably cheaper than national benchmarks.
Drawbacks
High car dependency and low walkability scores require long commutes for most employment and shopping needs.
Poverty rates remain elevated, with U.S. Census data recording approximately 27.4% of persons below the poverty line.
Limited local higher education attainment, with only around 10.5% holding a bachelor's degree or higher.
Scarcity of large-scale commercial entertainment, dining, and major healthcare facilities within immediate town limits.
Household median incomes remain well below national medians at roughly $46,017.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Artesia
#249New Mexico, USA
62.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,100
Avg Salary
$61,000
Cost Index
91
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
325/yr
Avg Temp
66.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
72
Business
73
Chaparral
#375New Mexico, USA
59.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$900
Avg Salary
$44,000
Cost Index
84
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
35.0/100
Sunny Days
331/yr
Avg Temp
65.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.91%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
68
Business
60
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Artesia and Chaparral.
Open Cost Calculator