Everything You Should Know Before Moving to Las Placitas, NM
Thinking of moving to Las Placitas, NM? With a population of about 5,000, this scenic community offers high homeownership rates, a median home price of $540,000, and plenty of sunshine—enjoying 78% sunny days yearly. Residents benefit from low crime rates, excellent educational attainment (over 54% with a bachelor’s or higher), and quick access to Albuquerque for work or amenities, with average commutes of 27.5 minutes. Las Placitas combines tranquil, high-desert living with solid incomes and beautiful views for a relaxed New Mexico lifestyle.
Demographics - Las Placitas, NM
Demographics - Las Placitas, NM
Las Placitas is a small, close-knit community of around 5,000 residents, notable for its mature median age of 55 and a high proportion of White residents. The area has a balanced gender ratio and a significant portion of the population speaks a language other than English at home, reflecting some cultural diversity.
Population:
5,000
Density:
215 per sq mi
Median Age:
55.0
Gender Ratio:
98 males per 100 females
Non-English Speakers Percentage:
15.0%
Ethnic Composition
White:
82.5%
Black:
1.5%
Asian:
1.0%
Others:
15.0%
Cost Of Living
What is the average cost of living in Las Placitas, NM?
Living in Las Placitas comes with a slightly higher-than-average cost of living, with a median home value of $540,000 and rent averaging $1,700 per month. While housing costs are above national norms, utilities and transportation remain affordable, and state tax rates are moderate.
Median House Value:
$540,000
Gross Rent:
$1,700
Monthly Electricity Charges:
$110
Auto Insurance:
$1,250
House Owner Cost With Mortgage:
$2,140
House Owner Cost Without Mortgage:
$750
State Taxes:
Low:
1.7%
|
High:
5.9%
Cost Of Living Index:
108.0
Grocery:
99.0
Housing:
120.0
Utilities:
90.0
Transportation:
98.0
Health Care:
95.0
Miscellaneous:
97.0
Crime
Is Las Placitas, NM a safe place to live?
Las Placitas boasts low crime rates, making it a safe place to live with a violent crime rate of just 102 incidents per 100,000 people. Residents enjoy a strong sense of security, with property crime also well below urban averages.
Violent Crimes Per 100k:
102
Property Crimes Per 100k:
840
Crime Index:
942
Chance Of Violent Crime:
1 in 980
Chance Of Property Crime:
1 in 119
Weather
What is the weather like in Las Placitas, NM year-round?
This community enjoys a pleasant climate, featuring mild winters, warm summers, and about 78% sunny days each year. Annual rainfall is modest at 13.5 inches, making it ideal for those who appreciate a dry, sun-drenched environment.
Winter
Min:
22°F
Max:
46°F
Spring
Min:
38°F
Max:
68°F
Summer
Min:
58°F
Max:
89°F
Fall
Min:
40°F
Max:
72°F
Average Rainfall Inches:
13.5 inches
Sunny Days Percentage:
78%
Neighbors
Residents of Las Placitas benefit from solid household incomes, with the median at $96,000 and a low poverty rate of 5.2%. The community is highly educated—over half of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree—while unemployment remains low and commute times average around 27 minutes.
Median Income:
$58,000
Household Income:
$96,000
Family Income:
$106,000
Per Capita Income:
$48,500
Income Male:
$60,000
Income Female:
$45,000
Poverty Rate:
5.2%
Non English Speakers:
15.0%
Rent:
$1,700
Unemployment Rate:
3.6%
Public Transport Usage:
0.7%
Commute Time:
27.5 minutes
Education
High School or Higher:
97.8%
Bachelors or More:
54.0%
Education
How are the schools in Las Placitas, NM?
Las Placitas offers quality education with a well-rated public elementary school and convenient access to higher education at the University of New Mexico, just 22 miles away. The community values education, as reflected in its high educational attainment and favorable student-teacher ratios.
Public Schools
Name:
Placitas Elementary School
Street:
5 Camino del Carbon
Phone:
505-867-2488
Students:
150
Student Teacher Ratio:
12.5
Colleges
Name:
University of New Mexico
City:
Albuquerque
State:
NM
Distance:
22 miles
Students:
25,000
Healthcare
Las Placitas residents have ready access to excellent healthcare, with major hospitals located nearby in Rio Rancho and a high rate of health insurance coverage at 90%. The area is well-served by physicians and offers good general and emergency care options.
Major Hospitals
Name:
Presbyterian Rust Medical Center
Address:
2400 Unser Blvd SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124
Phone:
(505) 253-7878
Type:
General & Surgical
Emergency Services:
Yes
Name:
UNM Sandoval Regional Medical Center
Address:
3001 Broadmoor Blvd NE, Rio Rancho, NM 87144
Phone:
(505) 994-7000
Type:
General & Surgical
Emergency Services:
Yes
Physicians Per 1000:
2.0
Health Insurance Coverage:
90.0%
Health Care Index:
71.0
Housing Market
What is the housing market like in Las Placitas, NM?
The housing market in Las Placitas is robust, characterized by a high owner-occupancy rate of 89% and a median home price of $540,000. Home values have seen steady appreciation, and rental vacancies remain low, contributing to a stable and attractive market for homeowners.
Median Home Price:
$540,000
Average Rent For 2 Bedroom:
$1,700
Owner Occupied Rate:
89.0%
Rental Vacancy Rate:
6.0%
Home Appreciation Rate (1yr):
3.2%
New Construction Rate:
1.2%
Foreclosure Rate:
0.7%
DMV Information
Las Placitas is served by the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division, with the nearest main office in Santa Fe. Residents can access essential DMV services online or by phone for vehicle registration and licensing needs.
State:
New Mexico
Department:
New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division
Address:
1100 South St. Francis Drive, Santa Fe, NM 87505
Phone:
1-888-683-4636
Website:
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is based on publicly available sources including AccuWeather, U.S. Census Bureau, local government data, and third-party partners such as Neustar. While we strive to ensure accuracy, all data is provided “as is” and should be independently verified before making any decisions. Movers.com makes no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of the information.