City Comparison
Carlsbad vs Chaparral
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Carlsbad scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Carlsbad
Chaparral
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Chaparral is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
19% lower than in Carlsbad.
Housing costs are a major driver: Carlsbad's average rent is
50% higher than Chaparral's.
| Metric | Carlsbad | Chaparral | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,350 | $900 | +50% |
| Groceries | $380 | $380 | 0% |
| Utilities | $170 | $175 | -3% |
| Transport | $110 | $140 | -21% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $220 | +5% |
| Monthly Total | $2,240 | $1,815 | +23% |
| Cost Index | 93 | 84 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Carlsbad offers 43% 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 $42,000 in Chaparral.
| Metric | Carlsbad | Chaparral |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $63,000 | $44,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,742 idx | 52,381 idx |
| Household Income | $67,500 | $46,017 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.9°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Carlsbad sees 1.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Carlsbad | Chaparral |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 67.70°F | 65.80°F |
| Summer High | 96.20°F | 93.80°F |
| Winter Low | 34.80°F | 36.80°F |
| Rainfall | 8.60 in | 8.40 in |
| Snowfall | 3.90 in | 2.20 in |
| Sunny Days | 325 | 331 |
| Humidity | 35.00% | 35.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Carlsbad has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,500 minutes (92 hours) per year compared to Chaparral.
For walkability, Carlsbad leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Carlsbad | Chaparral |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 30 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 32.00 | 42.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Carlsbad is the larger city
— approximately 1.8x the population of Chaparral.
From a growth perspective, Chaparral 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 | Chaparral |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 32,238 | 18,186 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.91% |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 31.6 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 5.20% |
| 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.
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.
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
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
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