Is New Mexico one of the poorest states?
These states and territories have the highest percentages of poverty in the country: Mississippi, Louisiana, New Mexico, Arkansas, West Virginia, Alabama, Kentucky, the District of Columbia, South Carolina, and Oklahoma.
And for many New Mexicans, the relationship is generational. That is grim news for New Mexico, which had a poverty rate in 2021 of 19.1% – the third highest in the country and well above the national poverty rate of 13.4%, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
New Mexico's poverty rate in 2019 was 18.2 percent, a decline from 2018 when it was 19.5 percent, but still the third highest in the country.
Mississippi. Mississippi is the poorest U.S. state, with 18.8% of its residents living in poverty. The state also has the highest child poverty rate, with 27.9% of its under-18 population meeting federal poverty guidelines.
Compared to all other states, New Mexico ranks in the top half of both the most affordable states to live in and the state with the lowest average taxes paid per household. This makes it a state that isn't overpriced and is reasonable in order to experience some of the other great things on this list.
The cost of living in New Mexico is 8% lower than the national average. Housing is 15% lower than the national average, while utilities are 9% lower. When it comes to basic necessities such as food and clothing, groceries are around 7% lower than in the rest of the country, while clothing costs 7% lower.
“Overall the state's population is aging into retirement while fewer children are being born,” Mitch Latimer, a program evaluator for the committee, told lawmakers Thursday. Among other reasons for the stagnating population rate is the state's birth rate, which dropped 19 percent between 2010 and 2019, he said.
Other key demographics are seeing a continuing decline in population due to lower birth rates and more people leaving New Mexico than moving to the state since 2012. Between 2010 and 2019, New Mexico's birth rate fell by 19 percent, and the under-18 population shrank by 8.3 percent.
Poverty rates were highest in the states of Mississippi (19.58%), Louisiana (18.65%), New Mexico (18.55%), West Virginia (17.10%), Kentucky (16.61%), and Arkansas (16.08%), and they were lowest in the states of New Hampshire (7.42%), Maryland (9.02%), Utah (9.13%), Hawaii (9.26%), and Minnesota (9.33%).
Most New Mexico businesses will see the state minimum wage increase and will be required to pay a minimum wage of: $11.50 per hour effective January 1, 2022 (previously $10.50 per hour effective January 1, 2021)
What is the best state to live in if you are poor?
It counts the affordability of housing, with median housing prices compared against median family incomes. Ohio ranks first in the nation for affordability. Oklahoma places second in this subcategory, followed by Michigan, Iowa and Missouri. Learn more about the most affordable states below.
The personal finance website has come up with a ranked list of the top 20 best states to live in for 2022. Here are the results! The top state is Massachusetts, which ranked first in the nation for education and health, fourth for safety, sixth for quality of life, and 10th for its economy.

Eight states have no billionaire residents at all: Alabama, Alaska, Delaware, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Vermont and West Virginia. Another eight are home to just one billionaire.
1. Deming. Deming tops our list of most affordable cities in New Mexico. Located 35 miles north of the US-Mexico border, Deming is home to around 15,000 residents and is the county seat of Luna County.
Land values are traditionally cheaper than surrounding states, exasperating the relevancy of cheaper property taxes as owners will pay less tax overall. Which essentially means the maintenance and cost of upkeeping the property are considerably cheaper than most other states that border New Mexico.
Cost of Living
New Mexico and Texas are both affordable places to live compared to the national average. However, cost of living is 5% higher in Texas, where larger cities and more expensive houses contribute to higher prices in almost every category.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The Land of Enchantment is living up to its nickname. A study from Kindness.org ranked New Mexico the second kindest state in the country. Dr.
1. Chimayo, NM. Located just north of Santa Fe, this historic village is more than just one of the best small towns in New Mexico. It is the home of the famous Chimayo weavers, the red chile pepper, and the legendary El Santuario de Chimayo.
Average Salary in Albuquerque, NM $63,805 (Nov 22)
There are currently 5,746 homes for sale in New Mexico. The median list price in New Mexico is $379,900 and the average price per square foot is $193.
How much does McDonald's pay per hour in New Mexico?
Average McDonald's Crew Member hourly pay in New Mexico is approximately $9.46, which is 25% below the national average. Salary information comes from 29 data points collected directly from employees, users, and past and present job advertisements on Indeed in the past 36 months.
Between 2010 and 2019, nearly 60,000 more people moved out of New Mexico than moved in to the state. People exiting the state went primarily to Texas, Arizona, Nevada and Oklahoma.
New Mexico improved in foundation's health ranking, still ranks in middle of pack. In its annual America's Health Rankings report, the United Health Foundation ranked all 50 states in a variety of health factors to find the most and least healthy states. New Mexico is ranked No. 36, up two spots from last year.
The most intractable problem New Mexico faces is poverty. From low birth-weight babies to violent crime, poverty is either a cause, an effect or a complicating factor in the state's many dysfunctions.
A Long & Difficult Road to Statehood
New Mexico's 66-year, long and difficult road to become a part of the Union faced a variety of roadblocks in addition to being seen as outsiders. New Mexicans themselves were not all convinced that statehood was the best path forward plus partisan politics was also partly to blame.
"Part of the Albuquerque area of New Mexico, Corrales Village is a wealthy community known for its high real estate and professional residents. Homes are roughly $425,600, according to BestPlaces.
Poverty rates were highest in the states of Mississippi (19.58%), Louisiana (18.65%), New Mexico (18.55%), West Virginia (17.10%), Kentucky (16.61%), and Arkansas (16.08%), and they were lowest in the states of New Hampshire (7.42%), Maryland (9.02%), Utah (9.13%), Hawaii (9.26%), and Minnesota (9.33%).
Their study ranks New Mexico dead last at 51st for the quality of our education system. This can be attributed to the state's rural character and high poverty rate. According to U.S. News & World Report, New Mexico has the third-highest poverty rate in the nation, standing at over 18 percent of the state's population.
2023 Minimum Wage Rates
*Beginning January 1, 2023 the State of New Mexico minimum wage rate increases to $12.00 per hour.
Compared to all other states, New Mexico ranks in the top half of both the most affordable states to live in and the state with the lowest average taxes paid per household. This makes it a state that isn't overpriced and is reasonable in order to experience some of the other great things on this list.