City Comparison
Española vs Chaparral
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Chaparral scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Española
Chaparral
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Chaparral is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
2% lower than in Española.
| Metric | Española | Chaparral | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $900 | +6% |
| Groceries | $380 | $380 | 0% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $115 | $140 | -18% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $220 | +5% |
| Monthly Total | $1,850 | $1,815 | +2% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 84 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Española offers 9% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Española delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Española is estimated at
$42,000 vs $42,000 in Chaparral.
| Metric | Española | Chaparral |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,000 | $44,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 54,545 idx | 52,381 idx |
| Household Income | $38,500 | $46,017 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Chaparral runs warmer on average — a 8.9°F difference year-round.
Winter severity differs too — Española sees 7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Española | Chaparral |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.90°F | 65.80°F |
| Summer High | 88.90°F | 93.80°F |
| Winter Low | 28.40°F | 36.80°F |
| Rainfall | 11.20 in | 8.40 in |
| Snowfall | 9.20 in | 2.20 in |
| Sunny Days | 323 | 331 |
| Humidity | 42.00% | 35.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Española has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Chaparral.
Española scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Española leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Española | Chaparral |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 30 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 42.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Chaparral is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Española.
From a growth perspective, Chaparral 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 | Española | Chaparral |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 10,200 | 18,186 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.91% |
| Median Age | 39.5 | 31.6 |
| Unemployment | 6.50% | 5.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Española
Advantages
Significantly lower housing and living costs compared to nearby Santa Fe and Los Alamos.
Rich cultural heritage blending Spanish colonial and Pueblo Native American traditions.
Proximity to world-class outdoor recreation, including the Rio Grande and Sangre de Cristo mountains.
Authentic local cuisine and vibrant regional arts and festival scene.
Short commuting distance to major regional employers like Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Drawbacks
Property crime rates higher than the national average in certain areas.
Limited public transportation infrastructure increases car dependency.
Economic mobility and high-paying job opportunities within city limits can be restricted.
Local retail and dining options are more limited compared to larger metropolitan hubs.
Poverty rates exceed state and national averages.
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.
Española
#554New Mexico, USA
47.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$48,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
323/yr
Avg Temp
56.90°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
6.50%
Livability
67
Business
58
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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