City Comparison
Carlsbad vs Lovington
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Carlsbad scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Carlsbad
Lovington
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Lovington is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
9% lower than in Carlsbad.
Housing costs are a major driver: Carlsbad's average rent is
17% higher than Lovington's.
| Metric | Carlsbad | Lovington | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,350 | $1,150 | +17% |
| Groceries | $380 | $380 | 0% |
| Utilities | $170 | $175 | -3% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $230 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,240 | $2,045 | +10% |
| Cost Index | 93 | 88 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Carlsbad offers 9% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Carlsbad delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Carlsbad is estimated at
$52,000 vs $45,000 in Lovington.
| Metric | Carlsbad | Lovington |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $63,000 | $58,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,742 idx | 65,909 idx |
| Household Income | $67,500 | $54,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 3°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Carlsbad sees 3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Carlsbad | Lovington |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 67.70°F | 64.70°F |
| Summer High | 96.20°F | 91.40°F |
| Winter Low | 34.80°F | 33.70°F |
| Rainfall | 8.60 in | 8.10 in |
| Snowfall | 3.90 in | 0.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 325 | 321 |
| Humidity | 35.00% | 42.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
For walkability, Lovington leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Carlsbad | Lovington |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 32.00 | 25.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Carlsbad is the larger city
— approximately 2.8x the population of Lovington.
From a growth perspective, Carlsbad is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Carlsbad has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Carlsbad | Lovington |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 32,238 | 11,682 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 33.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Carlsbad
Advantages
Proximity to world-renowned Carlsbad Caverns National Park offers unmatched weekend outdoor recreation and natural beauty.
Strong job market in the oil, gas, and mining sectors providing competitive wages relative to the region.
Abundant sunshine with over 325 sunny days per year supporting an active outdoor lifestyle.
Lower overall cost of living compared to major US metropolitan areas.
Tight-knit community with a rich cultural heritage and local historic charm.
Drawbacks
Heavy reliance on the cyclical energy industry can cause volatility in local housing and job markets.
Arid climate with very low annual rainfall (8.6 inches) presents long-term water management and landscaping challenges.
Limited public transportation options make car ownership an absolute necessity for residents.
Remote geographic location in southeastern New Mexico requires significant travel for specialized shopping or major medical care.
High summer temperatures exceeding 95°F frequently limit daytime outdoor activities during peak months.
Lovington
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain significantly below the U.S. national average per Census and Zillow data.
Robust employment opportunities tied to the lucrative Permian Basin oil and gas industry.
Abundant sunshine averaging over 320 sunny days per year, ideal for outdoor activities.
Short average commute times with minimal traffic congestion compared to metropolitan areas.
Tight-knit community with a strong cultural heritage and active local civic life.
Drawbacks
High dependence on the volatile oil and gas sector can create economic cyclicality.
Extremely limited public transportation options, requiring total car dependency.
Very low annual rainfall (8.1 inches) creates arid conditions and water management challenges.
Limited local entertainment, arts, and major retail options within city limits.
Distance from major metropolitan medical centers for specialized healthcare needs.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Carlsbad
#296New Mexico, USA
61.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,350
Avg Salary
$63,000
Cost Index
93
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
325/yr
Avg Temp
67.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
71
Business
67
Lovington
#359New Mexico, USA
59.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,150
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
321/yr
Avg Temp
64.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
68
Business
65
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