Median Age
36 Years
Largest Age Group
10-19 Years
Approximately 14% of Residents
Under 20
28%
Over 65
16%
Carlsbad
Carlsbad, NM Area Guide
Avg Rent
$1,212
Population
32,790
Renter Mix
34% Rent
Bask in the natural beauty of this desert oasis
Suburban
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Riverside
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Scenic
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Active
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Mountain Views
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Welcoming
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Close-Knit
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Peaceful
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Secluded
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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.
Demographics
Median Household Income
$70,481
Average: $85,652
Education
5,629
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
14,882
Workers Employed
Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.
Housing Distribution
Carlsbad has more homeowners than renters.
Renters
34%
Non-Renters
66%
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
Bachelor's or Higher
12%
Other Education
88%
Rent Trends
As of May 2026, the average apartment rent in Carlsbad, NM is $1,077 for a studio, $1,207 for one bedroom, $1,596 for two bedrooms, and $1,945 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Carlsbad has increased by 0.2% in the past year.
Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,207/month
697 Sq Ft
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Carlsbad, NM is 7.9% lower than the national average. Generally, housing in Carlsbad is 9.0% less expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $1,077 - $1,945. You can expect to pay 4.7% less for groceries, 12.5% less for utilities, and 0.1% less for transportation.
Compare Cities
Getting Around
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Carlsbad, NM is for everyday living.
Fairly Walkable
Walkability
40
/ 100
Minimal Public Transit
Transit
10
/ 100
Exceptionally Drivable
Drivability
100
/ 100
Fairly Bikeable
Bikeability
40
/ 100
Scores provided by
Schools
Public
Grades 1-5
272 Students
Early Childhood Education Center
Public
Grades PK-5
170 Students
Public
Grades K-5
356 Students
Public
Grades K-5
356 Students
Public
Grades K-5
329 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
817 Students
Public
Grades K-12
254 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
705 Students
Public
Grades K-12
1,887 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,551 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,551 Students
Public
Grades K-12
254 Students
Public
Grades K-12
1,887 Students
School data provided by
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
Points of Interest
Shopping Centers
Parks and Recreation
- Living Desert Zoo & Gardens State Park
Top Apartments in Carlsbad
Houses for Rent in Carlsbad
Search Nearby Rentals
Nearby City Rentals
Nearby Neighborhood Rentals
Nearby House 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 February 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.