City Comparison
Artesia vs Lovington
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Artesia scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Artesia
Lovington
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Artesia is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
2% lower than in Lovington.
| Metric | Artesia | Lovington | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,100 | $1,150 | -4% |
| Groceries | $380 | $380 | 0% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $115 | $110 | +5% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $230 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,000 | $2,045 | -2% |
| Cost Index | 91 | 88 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Artesia offers 5% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Artesia delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Artesia is estimated at
$48,000 vs $45,000 in Lovington.
| Metric | Artesia | Lovington |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,000 | $58,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,033 idx | 65,909 idx |
| Household Income | $58,500 | $54,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.6°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Artesia sees 1.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Artesia | Lovington |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 66.30°F | 64.70°F |
| Summer High | 95.00°F | 91.40°F |
| Winter Low | 33.70°F | 33.70°F |
| Rainfall | 11.90 in | 8.10 in |
| Snowfall | 2.50 in | 0.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 325 | 321 |
| Humidity | 38.00% | 42.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Artesia scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Artesia leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Artesia | Lovington |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 28.00 | 25.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Artesia is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x the population of Lovington.
From a growth perspective, Artesia is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Artesia has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Artesia | Lovington |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 12,300 | 11,682 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 33.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Artesia
Advantages
Affordable housing market with median home prices below the national average per US Census data.
Strong local economy anchored by the thriving Permian Basin energy and refining sector.
Low average commute times and minimal traffic congestion compared to major metropolitan areas.
Rich cultural heritage featuring a vibrant historic downtown and prominent public art installations.
Proximity to world-class natural attractions such as Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Lincoln National Forest.
Drawbacks
Arid climate with high summer temperatures exceeding 95°F regularly.
High dependence on the oil and gas industry makes the local economy susceptible to commodity price fluctuations.
Limited public transportation infrastructure requires high car dependency.
Limited retail and entertainment options compared to larger urban centers.
Geographic isolation from major metropolitan healthcare and cultural hubs.
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.
Artesia
#249New Mexico, USA
62.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,100
Avg Salary
$61,000
Cost Index
91
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
325/yr
Avg Temp
66.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
72
Business
73
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
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