City Comparison
Hobbs vs Lovington
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Hobbs scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Hobbs
Lovington
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Hobbs is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
2% lower than in Lovington.
| Metric | Hobbs | Lovington | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,100 | $1,150 | -4% |
| Groceries | $380 | $380 | 0% |
| Utilities | $170 | $175 | -3% |
| Transport | $115 | $110 | +5% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $230 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,995 | $2,045 | -2% |
| Cost Index | 89 | 88 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Lovington offers 7% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Lovington delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Hobbs is estimated at
$48,000 vs $45,000 in Lovington.
| Metric | Hobbs | Lovington |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,000 | $58,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 60,674 idx | 65,909 idx |
| Household Income | $58,500 | $54,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.39999999999999°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Hobbs sees 0.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Hobbs | Lovington |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 65.10°F | 64.70°F |
| Summer High | 91.90°F | 91.40°F |
| Winter Low | 33.50°F | 33.70°F |
| Rainfall | 8.90 in | 8.10 in |
| Snowfall | 1.30 in | 0.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 326 | 321 |
| Humidity | 42.00% | 42.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Hobbs scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Lovington leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Hobbs | Lovington |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 38.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 25.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Hobbs is the larger city
— approximately 3.5x the population of Lovington.
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 | Lovington |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,500 | 11,682 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 33.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 4.50% |
| 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.
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.
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
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Hobbs and Lovington.
Open Cost Calculator