Clovis, NM: A 2026 Relocation Deep Dive

Clovis: The Data Profile (2026)

Clovis presents a statistical anomaly in the 2026 economic landscape. With a population of 38,153, it operates as a micro-economy distinct from national trends. The primary friction point for relocators is the income-to-cost ratio. The median household income stands at $54,029, which is -27.6% lower than the US average of $74,580. However, the Cost of Living Index (COLI) is calibrated at 100.0 across major sectors, effectively neutralizing the wage deficit for essential goods.

Educational attainment is a critical variable here. Only 21.3% of the population holds a bachelor's degree or higher, significantly below the US average of 33.1%. This suggests a labor market driven by vocational skills, agriculture, and defense sectors rather than the tech or finance hubs found in larger metros.

Target Demographic: The statistical "sweet spot" for a Clovis relocation is the remote worker earning a national-average salary ($75k+) or the skilled tradesperson. The data indicates that while local wages are suppressed, the purchasing power for those importing income is maximized.

Cost of Living Analysis

The defining characteristic of Clovis is parity. Unlike many cities where housing or utilities drive variance, Clovis maintains a 100.0 index for Groceries, Transportation, and Healthcare. The outlier is electricity, averaging 14.2 cents/kWh, which is 11.3% cheaper than the US average of 16.0 cents/kWh.

Table 1: Cost of Living Breakdown (Monthly Budgets)

Disposable Income Analysis:
The median income of $54,029 translates to approximately $4,500 monthly gross. For a single earner, a monthly cost of $2,100 leaves a disposable margin of $2,400. However, for a family of four attempting to live on the median income, the $4,610 expense baseline results in a -$110 deficit. Dual-income households or those earning above the $75,000 threshold are the only statistical profiles that can leverage Clovis's low costs effectively.

Housing Market Deep Dive

The housing market in Clovis is neutral relative to the US average, but this masks a critical liquidity factor. With a median income 27.6% below the norm, the "average" price is still high relative to local earning power.

Table 2: Housing Market Data (Buying vs Renting Analysis)

Buy vs. Rent Verdict:
Data suggests renting is the statistically superior short-term option for median-income earners. The rent-to-income ratio for a 1BR is 18.8%, whereas a mortgage on the median home would consume roughly 45% of the median household income (assuming 20% down). For remote workers earning $80k+, buying is advantageous due to the -40.5% discount on median home prices compared to the national average.

Economic & Job Market Outlook

RTO (Return to Office) Impact:
Clovis is not a commuter hub. The average commute time is 18.4 minutes, significantly lower than the US average of 27.6 minutes. In 2026, this is a premium asset for hybrid workers who need to visit an office 1-2 times weekly, but it implies a localized job market.

Industry Stability:
The economy is anchored by Cannon Air Force Base and agriculture. The unemployment rate is 4.2%, hovering just 0.2% above the national average. This indicates a stable but non-explosive job market. High-paying roles are scarce; 78.7% of the workforce does not hold a degree, limiting corporate sector opportunities.

Quality of Life Audit

The health data for Clovis presents a significant risk profile. While the aggregate Health Score is a respectable 76.8/100, the underlying risk factors are elevated.

Table 3: Quality of Life Metrics (Health, Air Quality, Unemployment)

Safety Analysis:
Crime data indicates a mixed bag. Violent crime is lower than average at 195 incidents per 100k (US avg: 387). However, property crime is elevated at 2,450 incidents per 100k (US avg: 1,958), roughly 25% higher than the national norm.

Environmental & Schools:

• Air Quality: Excellent. An AQI of 42 and PM2.5 levels of 7.8 µg/m³ are well below health thresholds.
• Schools: Graduation rates are 88.2%, slightly above the US average of 86.5%, but spending per student is $11,200 vs a national average of $13,185.
• Weather: Currently 55.0°F with a high of 56°F. The climate is semi-arid with 285 sunny days annually.

The Verdict

Pros:

• Housing Value: Median home price is $245,000, a -40.5% discount to the US average.
• Utilities: Electricity is 14.2¢/kWh, saving roughly $40/month for an average household.
• Commute: Average commute is 18.4 minutes, saving ~10 hours/month in transit vs the national average.
• Air Quality: AQI of 42 is in the "Good" range.

Cons:

• Income Ceiling: Median income is $54,029, $20,551 below the national average.
• Health Risks: Obesity (40.4%) and Diabetes (13.0%) rates are significantly elevated.
• Property Crime: Rate is 25% higher than the US average.
• Education: College education rate is 21.3%, limiting intellectual capital density.

Final Recommendation:
Relocate to Clovis only if you earn above the median income. The data is clear: the city is affordable, but only if your income is imported. For a household earning $80,000+, Clovis offers a high quality of life (air quality, commute) and massive asset accumulation potential via housing. For local wage earners, it is a high-risk environment where health outcomes and financial liquidity are strained.

FAQs

1. What salary is needed for a comfortable life in Clovis?
For a single person, a salary of $65,000 allows for a 30% savings rate. For a family, $90,000+ is required to avoid living paycheck-to-paycheck, given the $4,610 monthly expense baseline.

2. How does Clovis compare to the US average in value?
Clovis offers $1.00 of purchasing power for roughly $0.85 of national spending. The primary value is in housing (-40.5% cheaper) and utilities (-11.3% cheaper).

3. Is Clovis safe?
Violent crime is low (195/100k), but property crime is high (2,450/100k). You must secure your property; vehicle theft and burglary rates drive this metric up.

4. When is the best time to move?
Based on the weather pattern, April to June offers the most stable moving conditions, with temperatures averaging 65°F to 85°F. Winters can drop to 31°F (currently), which may complicate moving logistics.