Did you know that one of the happiest places on Earth is actually located right in our backyard? Wallet Hub, a personal finance website, routinely releases reports documenting and ranking cities in matters like the best places to retire or the least stressed cities in the country. In 2020, it published an article featuring the happiest cities in America.

Would it surprise you that Las Cruces, New Mexico was included in the list of the country's 50 happiest cities?
Neomexicanus/Wikimedia Commons
This southern New Mexican city of more than 97,000 was ranked 47th on the list of 180 cities, beating well-known spots like Boston, Denver, and Honolulu.
The study was based on a combination of metrics, such as job security, emotional health, and ideal weather.
Bureau of Land Management/Flickr
For example, in the site's 2014 article about cities with the best and worst weather, Las Cruces came in the fourth percentile for cities with overall mild weather. Those hot days can be torture but nature rewards desert dwellers with lovely weather for the rest of the year.
Las Cruces scored especially well in two key areas: community and environment, and emotional and physical well-being.
Woody Hibbard/Flickr
However, these metrics aren't the only reason to enjoy the city of Las Cruces. The gorgeous mountains that surround the city are one of our favorite things about the city.

Related Stories

Visit The Friendliest Town In New Mexico The Next Time You Need A Pick-Me-Up

Visit The Friendliest Town In New Mexico The Next Time You Need A Pick-Me-Up

 11 Incredible, Almost Unbelievable Facts About New Mexico

11 Incredible, Almost Unbelievable Facts About New Mexico

 Not Many People Realize That These 7 Things Are Actually Illegal In New Mexico

Not Many People Realize That These 7 Things Are Actually Illegal In New Mexico
It is also home to some spectacular events, restaurants, wineries, and breweries.
New Mexico Wine Fest Las Cruces/Facebook
In fact, did you know Las Cruces is home to the New Mexico Ale Trail and a green chile food trail? There are plenty of reasons to wine and dine here!
The city is also known for its history and museums.
New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum/Facebook
Here, you'll find the unique New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum, which showcases the history of farming in the Land of Enchantment as well as offering some unique demonstrations. Another gem of a museum is the Las Cruces Railroad Museum, which is housed in the city's former train depot.
What do you love about Las Cruces? We would love to hear your thoughts!
Bureau of Land Management/Flickr
Leave a comment below or on our Facebook page.

Hiking is one of our favorite ways to take in all of New Mexico’s beauty. Discover the divine landscape surrounding Las Cruces by hiking the Soledad Canyon Loop Trail, a 3.4-mile hiking trail that ends with a waterfall. Read more in Take An Easy Loop Trail To Enter Another World At Soledad Canyon In New Mexico.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

Happiest City In New Mexico

Leah | October 09, 2020

What is the safest place to live in New Mexico?

When it comes to ranking the happiest cities in the US, one of the statistics considered is often safety. If a town is wrought with crime then you can bet it's not considered a very joyful place to be. Luckily, there are many safe places to live in New Mexico. According to multiple publications that have looked at various crime rates, Los Alamos is the safest city in the state. Crime rates there are very low and even continuing to lower. Plus, it's located in a beautiful setting and has other factors - like good local schools - that make it an ideal place to live.

What is the most unique town in New Mexico?

Looking for the best cities to visit in New Mexico? There are many spots that are great to check out for various reasons, but there's only one city quite like the most unique one in the state. Hatch is certainly one-of-a-kind. Not only does it have many fun and quirky things to see and do, but it's also the one and only title holder of "Chile Capital of the World." This town is all about chile. Many people grow chile here, and all of the restaurants serve many chile-doused or chile-themed foods and drinks (yes, drinks). You can learn more about Hatch, New Mexico here.

What is the largest city in New Mexico?

Las Cruces in New Mexico may be the state's happiest city, but it isn't the biggest. Las Cruces has a population of right around 100,000, making it the second most populated city in the state. The biggest city is Albuquerque, at a whopping 561,000 residents. That makes it over five times bigger than Las Cruces. The ABQ metropolitan area encompasses quite a bit of area and there is plenty of things to do, see, and experience there. It's noted for its great restaurants and being the main setting for the hit TV show Breaking Bad. The old, historic district of Albuquerque is also notable, having been founded in 1706.

Related Articles

Explore New Mexico

Featured Addresses
Las Cruces, NM, USA