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Portales, New Mexico

city · Roosevelt County

At a glance

11,968
Population
$133,400
Median home value (all homes)
56% below U.S. median
$134,783
Typical market value
Zillow, 2026-07
$903/mo
Median rent
33% below U.S. median
$50,555
Median household income
36% below U.S. median
12.3 min
Average commute
88.2%
Homes with broadband
99.98%
Locations with fiber available
7.4%
Unemployment

Cost of living (Clay Affordability Index)

CAI 82 — 18% below the national average. how it's computed

Housing38% below
Goods & services4% below
Utilities13% below
Taxes31% below
Insurance21% below
Commute cost59% below
For business: New Mexico is CBII band 2/5 · time to build band 1/5. See state page for the breakdown.

Living here

Colleges in town:
Nearest 4-year college1 mi
Nearest community college18 mi
Nearest technical college91 mi
High school graduates86.6%
College graduates25.4%

Doing business here

Economic development contacts, most local first:

city Roosevelt CDC
A 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation established in 1998 to coordinate economic development activities for Roosevelt County, New Mexico. Primary funders are the City of Portales, Roosevelt County, and Eastern New Mexico University, with supplemental donations received from private investors.
state New Mexico Economic Development
The New Mexico Economic Development Department's (NMEDD) mission is creating pathways to prosperity for all New Mexicans. The department works to attract, retain, and expand businesses in New Mexico through a variety of incentive programs, grants, and resources designed to grow the state's economy and create high-wage jobs. NMEDD supports communities across the state with tools for economic development, outdoor recreation, film production, and entrepreneurship.
state New Mexico Economic Development Partnership
The New Mexico Partnership is the state’s single point of contact for business expansion, representing the State of New Mexico by helping companies outside the state explore opportunities, evaluate sites, and establish new operations here with confidence, through site selection support, incentive guidance, workforce analysis, and local coordination with the New Mexico Economic Development Department and a statewide network of partners.
state New Mexico Small Business Development Center
The New Mexico SBDC Network provides no-cost business consulting and low or no cost business training to entrepreneurs throughout the state. The organization aims to develop skilled entrepreneurs and strong businesses through counseling and trainings.
state The Navajo Nation Economic Development
The Navajo Nation Division of Economic Development provides information and assistance for businesses considering investment, expansion, or relocation on Navajo Nation lands across Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah, highlighting land, labor resources, energy resources, and tax incentives to attract economic activity.
State sales taxYes
State income taxYes
Right-to-work stateNo

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