Signals
South Valley
Los Alamos
Climate
71 · Top 45%
vs47 · Bottom 1%
Physical resilience
69 · Top 38%
vs73 · Top 33%
Housing affordability
87 · Top 39%
vs94 · Top 23%
Access
97 · Top 29%
vs91 · Bottom 48%
Economic stability
38 · Bottom 14%
vs79 · Top 9%
Measured values
| Metric | South Valley | Los Alamos | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 37,120 | 13,317 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $58,224 | $141,018 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $29,017 | $76,146 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 1,280/sq mi | 1,199/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $224,300 | $501,800 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $954 | $1,359 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 74.4% | 66.5% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.1% | 69.8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 18.5% | 4.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Average July high | 91°F | 74°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 26°F | 9°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 8.8" | 25.5" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 5 mi | 22 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 27.2 min | 14.2 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 41.7 | 38.8 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Public schools | 23 | 5 | 2024-25 school year |
| Students per teacher | 11.02 | 12.62 | 2024-25 school year |
| Free or reduced-price lunch eligibility | 98.6% | 12.6% | 2024-25 school year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
South Valley
No hazard reaches elevated exposure.
Los Alamos
Elevated or high exposure: wildfire, earthquake.
Your best match
Weight what matters to you. Your preferences stay in this browser and never change either Area Score.
South Valley
72
Your Score
—
Area Score
Los Alamos
71
Your Score
—
Area Score
Select your priorities to see which of the two fits them better.
Full profiles: South Valley, NM · Los Alamos, NM · How this is calculated: methodology