2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Carlsbad, NM vs Portales, NM

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Highlights
Are people in Portales older or younger than people in Carlsbad?
- The Median Age in Portales is 8.0 years younger than in Carlsbad.

Are housing costs cheaper in Portales or Carlsbad?
- Portales housing costs are 32.0% less expensive than Carlsbad housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Portales or Carlsbad?
- The average commute for residents of Portales is 1.5 minutes shorter than it is for residents of Carlsbad.

Things to do in Carlsbad?
Carlsbad is a city located in southeastern New Mexico that is known for its stunning landscape of caves, limestone cliffs and deserts dotted with cacti. It is home to Carlsbad Caverns National Park which contains over 100 limestone caves filled with unique formations that attract nature-lovers from across the globe. There are also several recreational activities available like rock climbing and ATV tours along with various art galleries featuring local history exhibits to explore!

Things to do in Portales?
Portales, New Mexico is a small town located in Roosevelt County. It is known for its mild climate, friendly community and vibrant culture. Portales has two universities and several public schools, making it an ideal place to raise a family. Local amenities include various shopping options, restaurants and entertainment venues, as well as recreational activities such as the Portales Municipal Swimming Pool and Portales Golf Course. With its tranquil atmosphere and access to nearby cities such as Clovis and Alamogordo, Portales is a great place to call home.

 Carlsbad, NMPortales, NMUnited States
 Population  Unlock12,151329,725,481
 Median Income$70,745  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock27.138.4
 Avg. Home Price$183,800  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock6.1%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time18.25  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Carlsbad    16 Reviews

I've only been here for a few months, but I can quickly sum up this town as a rundown truck stop, perpetually buffeted by relentless wind, dirt, and hot air. The gas  More

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Over 3 years ago

We used to visit here every few years from Michigan just to see the Living Desert State Park. A very long way to drive to spend a a couple of days in this hauntingly  More

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Been here 9 years. Very difficult place. Price gouging, extremely expensive to live here. Crazy amounts of crime, cops do nothing. Very crowded, bad traffic and crazy  More

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Reviews for Portales    10 Reviews

In a single sentence, this is a town that is slowly dying in the desert- and nobody here cares. Why- because the people who run this town were born in the 1940's or  More

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Over 6 years ago

I love portales new.Mexico they have nice people I like boys cute boys that the high school  More

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If you like boring, low wages, and high unemployment for mediocre jobs, and ultra-conservatism then this is the place for you.  More

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