City Comparison
Chaparral vs Los Lunas
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Chaparral scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Chaparral
Los Lunas
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Chaparral is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
41% lower than in Los Lunas.
Housing costs are a major driver: Chaparral's average rent is
57% lower than Los Lunas's.
| Metric | Chaparral | Los Lunas | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $900 | $2,071 | -57% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $175 | $162 | +8% |
| Transport | $140 | $150 | -7% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $250 | -12% |
| Monthly Total | $1,815 | $3,083 | -41% |
| Cost Index | 84 | 86 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Los Lunas offers 3% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Los Lunas delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Chaparral is estimated at
$42,000 vs $55,000 in Los Lunas.
| Metric | Chaparral | Los Lunas |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $44,000 | $45,211 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 52,381 idx | 52,571 idx |
| Household Income | $46,017 | $62,330 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Chaparral runs warmer on average — a 5.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Chaparral comes out ahead with 22 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Los Lunas sees 4.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Chaparral | Los Lunas |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 65.80°F | 60.20°F |
| Summer High | 93.80°F | 91.90°F |
| Winter Low | 36.80°F | 30.10°F |
| Rainfall | 8.40 in | 15.20 in |
| Snowfall | 2.20 in | 6.80 in |
| Sunny Days | 331 | 309 |
| Humidity | 35.00% | 45.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Los Lunas has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Chaparral.
Chaparral scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
| Metric | Chaparral | Los Lunas |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/100 | 25.0/100 |
| Walkability | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 55.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Los Lunas is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Chaparral.
From a growth perspective, Los Lunas is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Chaparral has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Chaparral | Los Lunas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 18,186 | 21,194 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.91% | 3.02% |
| Median Age | 31.6 | 38.3 |
| Unemployment | 5.20% | 5.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Los Lunas
Advantages
Los Lunas has a low cost of living, with a Cost of Living Index of 86.3, making it 13.7% more affordable than the national average.
The village is one of the fastest-growing communities in New Mexico, indicating strong economic and population growth momentum.
Major employers like Meta (Facebook) Data Center and Walmart Distribution Center drive job creation and economic development.
A new 15-bed acute care hospital is slated to open in Los Lunas in fall 2026, significantly improving local healthcare access.
Public transportation via Rio Metro buses and the Rail Runner Express is available and fare-free, connecting residents to Albuquerque and other areas.
Drawbacks
Los Lunas crime rates are significantly higher than the national average, with overall crime 65% higher and violent crime 63% higher.
The village is largely car-dependent, with limited walkability and public transit options, making personal vehicle ownership essential for most residents.
Despite economic growth, Los Lunas has acknowledged a lag in developing affordable housing options.
The median household income of $62,330 is lower than the national average of $80,734.
Traffic congestion on main routes, particularly NM 6, can adversely affect commuter travel and emergency response times.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Los Lunas
#479New Mexico, USA
54.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,071
Avg Salary
$45,211
Cost Index
86
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
25.0/100
Walkability
35.0/100
Sunny Days
309/yr
Avg Temp
60.20°F
Pop. Growth
3.02%
Unemployment
5.40%
Livability
65
Business
70
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