Carlsbad

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Carlsbad, NM

Area Guide

Bask in the natural beauty of this desert oasis

Suburban Riverside Scenic Active Mountain Views Welcoming Close-Knit Peaceful Secluded

Located on the banks of the Pecos River in the Chihuahuan Desert, Carlsbad is known as “The Pearl on the Pecos.” Carlsbad is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream, with convenient access to numerous lakes, rivers, parks, and the nearby Guadalupe Mountains. Carlsbad is also proximate to the internationally acclaimed Carlsbad Caverns, the city’s biggest draw for tourists.

In addition to natural beauty and recreational opportunities, Carlsbad residents enjoy access to great schools and a welcoming, small-town atmosphere. Carlsbad’s economy benefits from the presence of diverse industries like Potash mining, oil and gas extraction, healthcare, and government. Larger cities such as Roswell and El Paso are within a short driving distance from Carlsbad. Quick access to U.S. Routes 62, 180, and 285 makes getting around from Carlsbad simple.

Explore the City

An aerial view of Carlsbad's downtown area at night.

An aerial view of Carlsbad during the daytime.

Carlsbad Caverns National Park is a popular attraction.

Rent Trends

As of September 2025, the average apartment rent in Carlsbad, NM is $1,360 for a studio, $1,208 for one bedroom, $1,590 for two bedrooms, and $1,959 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Carlsbad has increased by 4.1% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,208/month
698 Sq Ft
House
$2,740/month
698 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Carlsbad, NM

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Carlsbad, NM is 7.9% lower than the national average. Generally, housing in Carlsbad is 9.2% less expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $1,206 - $1,962. You can expect to pay 4.8% less for groceries, 12.6% less for utilities, and 0.1% less for transportation.

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Transportation

38

Car-Dependent

out of 100 WalkScore® Rating

This area is considered a car-dependent area and most errands will require a car.

47

Somewhat Bikeable

out of 100 BikeScore® Rating

You might be able to find places to ride your bike in this area, but you’ll most likely want your car for most errands.

Schools

Riverside Elementary School

Public

Grades 1-5

256 Students

Sunset Elementary

Public

Grades 1-5

356 Students

Monterrey Elementary

Public

Grades K-5

329 Students

Desert Willow Elementary

Public

Grades K-5

787 Students

Puckett Elementary School

Public

Grades 1-5

271 Students

Carlsbad Intermediate School

Public

Grades 6-8

817 Students

Carlsbad Sixth Grade Academy

Public

Grades 6-8

705 Students

Carlsbad High

Public

Grades 9-12

1,551 Students

Points of Interest

Parks and Recreation

  • Living Desert Zoo & Gardens State Park

Top Apartments in Carlsbad

Houses for Rent in Carlsbad

Search Nearby Rentals

Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in September 2025.