City Comparison
Chaparral vs Lovington
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Lovington scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Chaparral
Lovington
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Chaparral is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
11% lower than in Lovington.
Housing costs are a major driver: Chaparral's average rent is
22% lower than Lovington's.
| Metric | Chaparral | Lovington | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $900 | $1,150 | -22% |
| Groceries | $380 | $380 | 0% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $140 | $110 | +27% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $230 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $1,815 | $2,045 | -11% |
| Cost Index | 84 | 88 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Lovington offers 24% 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 Chaparral is estimated at
$42,000 vs $45,000 in Lovington.
| Metric | Chaparral | Lovington |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $44,000 | $58,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 52,381 idx | 65,909 idx |
| Household Income | $46,017 | $54,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.1°F of each other.
For sunshine, Chaparral comes out ahead with 10 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Chaparral sees 1.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Chaparral | Lovington |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 65.80°F | 64.70°F |
| Summer High | 93.80°F | 91.40°F |
| Winter Low | 36.80°F | 33.70°F |
| Rainfall | 8.40 in | 8.10 in |
| Snowfall | 2.20 in | 0.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 331 | 321 |
| Humidity | 35.00% | 42.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Lovington has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to Chaparral.
For walkability, Lovington leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Chaparral | Lovington |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 35.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 25.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Chaparral is the larger city
— approximately 1.6x the population of Lovington.
From a growth perspective, Chaparral is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Lovington has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Chaparral | Lovington |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 18,186 | 11,682 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.91% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 31.6 | 33.5 |
| Unemployment | 5.20% | 4.50% |
| 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.
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.
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
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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