Recent Las Cruces Rankings

What does it take to be Ranked The Best?

In the case of Las Cruces, New Mexico, it’s because of things like clear blue skies and over 340 days of sunshine a year. It requires a unique quality of life that is enhanced by surroundings of natural beauty, protected forever as a national monument. It helps to have a low cost of living, world-class healthcare facilities, and a vibrant college-town atmosphere filled with arts, activities, and fun. To be the best, an area needs to have a strong economy with good jobs for everyone, and a friendly, small-town atmosphere with a rich cultural diversity that is celebrated by all. It’s qualities like these and more that have helped Las Cruces be Ranked The Best repeatedly by national publications and organizations!

What Are National Publications Writing About Las Cruces?

MOre LC-16AARP Magazine: “Like many residents of Las Cruces, Tina and Doug Bailey are happy to talk about the city’s wonderful weather, the cultural perks that come with living in the same town as New Mexico State University, and the delicious New Mexico-style Mexican food (Las Cruces calls itself the Chile Capital of The World). But also like most people, the Baileys struggle a little to explain the ethereal charm of this desert town, set at the foot of the Organ Mountains, that has of late attracted so many retirees.” AARP Magazine: Best Places to Retire – AARP

 

U.S News & World Report: “There are two hospitals, public transportation and, for lifelong learners, continuing education options, through New Mexico State University and Doña Ana Community College.” U.S. News: Are These Cities the Next Big Retirement Destinations? – US …

 

Forbes.com: “Las Cruces is a college town (New Mexico State University), with a good economy, cost of living 8% below national average, median home price $176,000, good state tax environment, warm, dry climate.” Forbes.com: Las Cruces, NM – In Photos: The 25 Best Places To Retire in …

 

Lonely Planet: “There’s something about the unusual landscapes of southern New Mexico that makes travelers gaze outward and upward. The region’s unusual rock formations and bright-white dunes evoke visions of alien worlds, and it’s no wonder visitors here frequently look to the clear desert skies and ponder the galaxies beyond.” #9 Ultimate US travel Wish List 2016: Lonely Planet

 

Las Cruces Rankings Since 2001

  • 2024: The 50 Best Places to Live in the U.S, Forbes.com
  • 2024 Top 25 Best Places To Retire, Forbes.com
  • 2024 Top Ten Best Places to Live and Work as a Filmmaker, MovieMaker Magazine
  • 2023:  Best Cities for Hispanic Entrepreneurs, WalletHub.com
  • 2023:  Fortune 50 Best Places to Live for Families, Fortune
  • 2023:  #9 Best Run City in America,  WalletHub.com
  • 2023:  Top 10 Best Places to Live and Work as a MovieMaker, – MovieMaker Magazine
  • 2023: Top 15 Best Cites in the Country to Raise a Family, Scholaroo.com
  • 2022: White Sands National Park Named The 21 Most Underrated, Crowd-Free National Parks in America, InsideHook.com
  • 2022: Best Places to Live in New Mexico, Niche.com
  • 2022: Top 20 Best-Run Cities in America, WalletHub
  • 2022: New Mexico State University Best Colleges for National Universities, U.S. News & World
  • 2022, 2021, 2020: Bronze Bike Friendly Community, BikeLeague.com
  • 2021: New Mexico State University America’s Top Colleges, Forbes
  • 2022 – Top 20 Best-Run Cities in America – WalletHub
  • 2020 – America’s Best Small Cities – Bestcities.org
  • 2020 – Las Cruces Recognized as Fittest City in New Mexico – Insurify
  • 2019 – Forbes Magazine: “Best Small Places For Business & Careers”
  • 2019 – American City & County Magazine Ranks Las Cruces as Sixth Best-Run U.S. City
  • 2019 – One of the Top Low-Cost Retirement Destinations – Where to Retire Magazine
  • 2019 – #3 Best Place to Travel – Money.com
  • 2018 – In Top 8 Cities to Retire – KFoxtv.com
  • 2018 – #8 – Best States for Quality of Life – UsNews.com
  • 2017 – #15 – 100 Most Popular Places to Retire – TopRetirements.com
  • 2017 – 6th Best Run City – WalletHub.com “2017’s Best & Worst-Run Cities in America”
  • 2017 – Best Cites for K-12 Teachers – GoodCall.com
  • 2017 – Top Ten Most Overlooked City in US – TravelDK.com
  • 2017 – A Top Place to Retire in Southwest – TopRetirements.com
  • 2016 – #1 Tied – 50 Most Charitable Cities in America – Deseret News
  • 2016 – 12th – 2016’s Best-Run Cities in America – WalletHub
  • 2016 – Runner Up – Best Sustainable Community: Sunset Magazine
  • 2016 –  #9 Ultimate US travel Wish List 2016: Lonely Planet
  • 2015 – Next Big Retirement Destinations: U.S News & World Report
  • 2014 – The Best Place to Retire: Forbes.com
  • 2012 – Best Sunny Places to Retire: AARP.com
  • 2011 – Best Small Metro Area for Business & Careers: Milken Institute
  • 2010 – Top 10 Best Performing Cities in the United States: Milken Institute
  • 2010 – Top 25 Cities For Jobs: CNN/Money Magazine
  • 2010 – One of the Best Places to Retire: AARP Magazine
  • 2010 – Top 100 Places to Live in the United States: Relocate America.com
  • 2010 – Las Cruces, NM Top Retirement City: Retire Magazine
  • 2010 – Top 20 Towns of the Future: Sunset Magazine
  • 2010 – One of America’s Top Places for Boomers to Retire: CNBC
  • 2009 – Top 10 Best Performing Cities in the United States: Milken Institute
  • 2009 – Best Places to Live: U.S News & World Report
  • 2009 – Most Playful City USA: Kaboom.org
  • 2009 – Top U.S. Destination: Facilities & Destinations Magazine
  • 2007 – No. 15 Top Boomtown in the United States: Inc. Magazine
  • 2007 – Top U.S. Destination: Facilities & Destinations Magazine
  • 2007 – Most Secure Place to Live, Medium-Sized City: Farmers Ins. Group
  • 2006 – Dream Town to Retire: AARP Magazine
  • 2006 – Top U.S. Destination: Facilities & Destinations Magazine
  • 2006 – Most Secure Place to Live, Medium-Sized City: Farmers Ins. Group
  • 2005 – Best Place to Retire: CNN/Money Magazine
  • 2005 – Best College Towns to Retire: Money Magazine
  • 2005 – Best Small Metro Area for Business & Careers: Milken Institute
  • 2004 – Best Small Metro Area for Business & Careers: Milken Institute
  • 2004 – Top U.S. Destination: Facilities & Destinations Magazine
  • 2005 – Top 50 Motorcoach Destinations in the U.S.: American Bus Association
  • 2004 – Top Sports Town of the Year: Sports Illustrated
  • 2004 – Top 50 Motorcoach Destinations in the U.S.: American Bus Association
  • 2003 – Best Small Metro Area for Business & Careers: Milken Institute
  • 2003 – Top 10 Cities for Hispanics to Live: Hispanic Magazine
  • 2002 – One of the Best Places to Retire in the U.S.: Money Magazine
  • 2002 – Best Small Metro Area for Business & Careers: Milken-Forbes.com
  • 2002 – Top 10 Cities for Hispanics to Live: Hispanic Magazine
  • 2002 – Best Place to Live: Family Digest
  • 2002 – Top U.S. Destination: Facilities & Destinations Magazine
  • 2001 – Top 100 Retirement Towns in America: Where to Retire Magazine
  • 2001 – Top U.S. Destination: Facilities & Destinations Magazine