New Mexico has landed in an unenviable position—dead last—on WalletHub’s 2025 list of the best and worst states to live in, ranking 50th out of all 50 states. The personal-finance website’s analysis, released this week, evaluated states based on 51 key indicators of livability, ranging from housing costs and job opportunities to health care quality, education, safety, and quality of life.
While states like Massachusetts, Idaho, and New Jersey topped the list, New Mexico scored an overall 39.68 points—significantly below the national leaders—placing it behind Louisiana (49th) and Arkansas (48th). The study paints a troubling picture of New Mexico’s challenges across multiple dimensions.
Breaking Down New Mexico’s Weak Spots
According to WalletHub’s ranking breakdown, New Mexico placed:
- 25th in Affordability – While middle-of-the-pack in affordability, this ranking masks deeper structural problems, as low housing costs are offset by stagnant wages and limited economic opportunity.
- 33rd in Economy – The state struggles with job creation, slow income growth, and high poverty rates. Entrepreneurial activity is below the national average, and workforce participation remains low compared to top-performing states.
- 48th in Education & Health – This is one of the most alarming categories for New Mexico. Public school quality, graduation rates, and health outcomes are among the worst in the country. The state faces a high percentage of residents in poor or fair health, shorter life expectancy, and limited access to quality medical care.
- 30th in Quality of Life – Despite New Mexico’s scenic beauty and cultural richness, infrastructure issues, limited public transportation, and gaps in recreational access keep this score low.
- 49th in Safety – High violent and property crime rates remain a persistent problem, contributing to the state’s second-worst safety score in the nation.
A Stark Contrast With Top Performers
Massachusetts, ranked No. 1, earned high marks thanks to exceptional health care, top-tier education, and low crime. Even states with higher costs of living, such as New Jersey (3rd) and New York (9th), ranked far ahead of New Mexico due to stronger economies, better health metrics, and safer communities.
In comparison, New Mexico’s poor showing in education, health, and public safety overwhelmed any modest advantages in cost of living. The report suggests that for the state to climb in the rankings, policymakers must focus on improving schools, expanding health care access, reducing crime, and fostering economic growth that offers higher-paying jobs.
A Century of One-Party Control
New Mexico’s last-place ranking is no coincidence. The state has been under near-continuous Democrat leadership for nearly 100 years, with Democrats controlling the governorship, legislature, or both for the overwhelming majority of that time. Decades of one-party rule have produced entrenched policies that have failed to address chronic problems in education, public safety, and economic competitiveness. The result is a state that lags far behind its peers despite abundant natural resources and cultural heritage.
Why It Matters
WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo emphasized that choosing a place to live involves balancing financial factors with overall quality of life. For New Mexico, the report underscores how weaknesses in education, safety, and economic opportunity not only hurt its national standing but also deter new residents and businesses from moving in.
If the state is to shed its last-place status, major policy shifts will be needed. That means tackling crime rates head-on, overhauling struggling school systems, improving health outcomes, and building an economic environment that can retain talent and attract new industries.
Until then, New Mexico remains at the bottom of the national livability list—a position that serves as both a warning and a call to action for its leaders.
Isn’t communism wonderful!
Until Democrats in our state realize voting for their party is a death wish nothing will change. Not certain how to overcome that.
For the quasi educated in History of NM politics…you put nothing new that is already known… On Party Rule…the DNC of NM.
I say Quasi John because the under or un educated dont want to see these facts… and busied on that I humbly submit:
New Mexico has the largest population of ostridge’s in …well… the Nation. Ill even go out on a limb as say this as well:
We, NM citizens, are leading, per capita that is, the largest head up the a** or stuck in the mud, political oppressive elected people..in the world.
Dang…its a good thing I gave up on running for political office… Calling your advisory as idiots dont win them over, nor calling out their obvious short comings either.
The truth…hurts…and thin skinned people cannot handle it, as it appears that drawing out the truth about the DNC of NM human kill shelters in (soon to come to Raton) and Las Cruces for the summary execution of 9 moth old infants for Tourism Dollars for any reason whatsoever… really dont sit well with the democrat or dead society. Well at least I got and spelled their mantra and name correctly… Democrat or Dead… Huh… I’m still waiting for my duly elected Jaurez Mexican windshield wiper in CD2 to prove me wrong…
Im tired of it. but the dem voters in NM arent. they think they are doing good. so proud of their stupidity they can hardly talk
This endless hand-wringing about being last in all categories does nothing. I believe an aggressive campaign must be undertaken making Democratic voters know they are responsible for these outcomes. Only hard truths will have an impact. Someone can put together a campaign that could do this.
A century of the Dem rule complete with the worst education system for k-through-university. We have multi generations of teachers that don’t even know they’re tools of the radical left and that they spent their careers spreading anti-American marxism.
This is a state of Dependents in one form or another.
No. one employer: the federal gov… Number 2: the state. County, city, lab contractors…
A true market economy with the prosperity that comes with it is the only cure–that coupled with traditional Christian values.
Sheep, getting fleeced and eaten by their own shepherds.
With all this knowledge coming out for years now, why has nothing changed for the better? It’s gone even more downhill than ever before.
Soon New Mexico will be – 39.68. How do these rating actually have negative figures? I’ve been seeing this too lately..
Vote Democratic and it is guaranteed that it will get worse because of our MLG, Mimi , Gabe, Melanie , Heinrich, Lujan mentality.
Unfortunately I am encouraging those who are thinking of leaving our beautiful state to do so because our leaders: the Mayor of ABQ, the Governor of our state and those in DC are not worth the salary we pay them.