2026 Compare Cities Overview:
Raton, NM vs Carlsbad, NM

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Highlights
Are people in Carlsbad older or younger than people in Raton?
- The Median Age in Carlsbad is 9.5 years younger than in Raton.

Are housing costs cheaper in Carlsbad or Raton?
- Carlsbad housing costs are 37.8% more expensive than Raton housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Carlsbad or Raton?
- The average commute for residents of Carlsbad is 5.0 minutes longer than it is for residents of Raton.

Things to do in Raton?
Raton, NM is a small, rural town located in the northeast corner of New Mexico. The population is around 6,500 people, and the atmosphere is relaxed and friendly. There are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy in Raton, from hiking and camping to fishing and wildlife watching. The town has several parks and trails that provide an ideal setting for exploring nature. Shopping options are limited but there are few specialty stores for unique goods. Restaurants range from traditional American fare to Mexican cuisine. Residents enjoy a slower pace of life with no traffic problems or overcrowding issues. It is a great place to experience peaceful living within close proximity to larger cities with more amenities just a short drive away.

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!

 Raton, NMCarlsbad, NMUnited States
 Population  Unlock31,525329,725,481
 Median Income$34,233  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock35.138.4
 Avg. Home Price$133,400  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock8.4%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time13.21  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Raton    4 Reviews

Despite the unfortunate experience of one family that wrote three different reviews, Raton if the smart choice for both affordability and the relaxed lifestyle of a  More

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Wow when I moved here I thought what a beautiful place to live, until I heard the second and third graders swearing at each other at the bus stop and broke up three  More

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Well Raton does. The teacher's do not have a dress code. Yet the students are not allowed to wear headband's in the middle school or hoodies. I guess some students were  More

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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 4 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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