City Comparison
Hobbs vs Chaparral
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Hobbs scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Hobbs
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 Hobbs.
Housing costs are a major driver: Hobbs's average rent is
22% higher than Chaparral's.
| Metric | Hobbs | Chaparral | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,100 | $900 | +22% |
| Groceries | $380 | $380 | 0% |
| Utilities | $170 | $175 | -3% |
| Transport | $115 | $140 | -18% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $220 | +5% |
| Monthly Total | $1,995 | $1,815 | +10% |
| Cost Index | 89 | 84 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Hobbs offers 23% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Hobbs delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Hobbs is estimated at
$48,000 vs $42,000 in Chaparral.
| Metric | Hobbs | Chaparral |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,000 | $44,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 60,674 idx | 52,381 idx |
| Household Income | $58,500 | $46,017 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.7°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Chaparral sees 0.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Hobbs | Chaparral |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 65.10°F | 65.80°F |
| Summer High | 91.90°F | 93.80°F |
| Winter Low | 33.50°F | 36.80°F |
| Rainfall | 8.90 in | 8.40 in |
| Snowfall | 1.30 in | 2.20 in |
| Sunny Days | 326 | 331 |
| Humidity | 42.00% | 35.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Hobbs has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to Chaparral.
Hobbs scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Hobbs leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Hobbs | Chaparral |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 30 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 38.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 42.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Hobbs is the larger city
— approximately 2.2x the population of Chaparral.
From a growth perspective, Hobbs is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Hobbs has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Hobbs | Chaparral |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,500 | 18,186 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 0.91% |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 31.6 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 5.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Hobbs
Advantages
Affordable housing market with median home prices below the national average per recent housing data.
Booming economy driven by the Permian Basin oil and gas industry providing strong job opportunities.
State-of-the-art community amenities such as the CORE (Center of Recreational Excellence) indoor recreation facility.
Low traffic congestion and short average commute times compared to major metropolitan areas.
Rich cultural heritage featuring diverse community events, festivals, and local New Mexican cuisine.
Drawbacks
High dependence on the volatile oil and gas sector can lead to economic cyclicality.
Arid desert climate brings very hot summers and occasional high winds or dust storms.
Limited public transportation infrastructure makes owning a car practically mandatory.
Annual rainfall is quite low at under 9 inches, requiring water conservation awareness.
Distance from major major metropolitan cultural hubs and large international airports.
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.
Hobbs
#303New Mexico, USA
61.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,100
Avg Salary
$54,000
Cost Index
89
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
38.0/100
Sunny Days
326/yr
Avg Temp
65.10°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
67
Business
70
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 Hobbs and Chaparral.
Open Cost Calculator