Living in Chimayo ☀️ | Guide to Moving to Chimayo NM (Cost, Crime, & More)
If you’re dreaming of moving to a sunny tourist destination, living in Chimayo, NM may be calling your name. Chimayo is a popular travel destination and Census Designated Place (CDP) outside of Santa Fe, known for a small adobe chapel called El Santuario de Chimayo. Moving to Chimayo NM will put you near the sanctuary, which is a Catholic shrine managed by the National Parks Service. While there are only about 3,000 people living in Chimayo, the Northern New Mexico community attracts 300,000 religious pilgrims each year.
According to Rancho de Chimayo, a famous nearby restaurant, the name “Chimayó” is from the Tewá language of the Pueblo Native Americans, meaning “superior red flaking stone.” Moving to Chimayo NM is a great choice if you love the beautiful landscapes of northern New Mexico. The area’s deep roots in Native American and Spanish history add meaning and texture to daily life when you're living in Chimayo.
If you’re looking for a welcoming Southwest CDP with a strong sense of community, warm, friendly neighbors, and a laid-back atmosphere, Chimayo is the place for you.
Is Chimayo a Good Place to Live?
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Chimayo is a good place to live. The CPD has a rich cultural heritage and a strong sense of community that make it a fantastic place to settle down.
Where is Chimayo NM?
Chimayo NM is part of the Santa Fe metro area and is about 28 miles (roughly a 30-minute drive) north of Santa Fe. Other nearby communities include Taos NM, and Rio Rancho NM.
Chimayo is in both Rio Arriba and Santa Fe counties, an area known for its Native American and Spanish influences in its architecture and textiles. Additionally, residents living in Chimayo NM can also enjoy the nearby scenic 1.6 million-acre Santa Fe National Forest.
When living in Chimayo NM, public transit options are limited. The area is served by the North Central Regional Transit District and connects the CDP with Española and other nearby communities. There is no direct bus to Chimayo from Santa Fe, so you’ll have to rent a car to get out to the area, and the average commute time is about 27.2 minutes.
Chimayo New Mexico Population & Demographics
What Is the Population of Chimayo, New Mexico? The population of people living in Chimayo was 3,077 people in the 2020 U.S. Census, but is estimated to have a population of 2,726 as of 2023. That’s a 12% population decrease over three years.
The population density is 359 people per square mile according to the 2020 census, which is perfect for those looking for a spread-out community where you can enjoy having an abundance of land to yourself.
Additional Chimayo Demographics:
- Sex ratio: 52.8% female to 47.2% male
- Median age: 48.1
- Racial and ethnic composition in Chimayo: 100% White (4% non-Hispanic)
- Median Household income in Chimayo NM: $52,305, or about 80% of the median in New Mexico State.
- Educational attainment: 89% high school degree (or higher), 10.6% Bachelor’s degree (or higher)
- Foreign born population: 0.9%
Additionally, 66.3% of residents speak Spanish in the home, according to the US Census Bureau.
Is living in Chimayo NM safe? The Chimayo NM crime rate is 1,225 crimes per 100,000 people, which is 66% lower than the New Mexico average and 46% lower than the national average. Additionally, the violent crime rate is 252 crimes per 100,000 people (31% lower than the national average), and the property crime rate is 973 crimes per 100,000 people (49% lower than the national average). As such, Chimayo NM is a safe place to live.
If you’re living in Chimayo, you can rely on District 1 of the New Mexico State Police Department to answer your calls.
Cost of Living in Chimayo NM
The Santa Fe area is a relatively affordable place to live. While data for Chimayo specifically is not available due to its small size, the cost of living is more affordable than Santa Fe because of lower median rent and home prices in the CDP.
Santa Fe Cost of Living Index is 114. This means that the cost of living in Santa Fe is only 14% higher than the national average, and you can expect similar or slightly lower figures in Chimayo.
As of 2025, a family of four living in Chimayo would need to make $110,607 to live comfortably in the community, according to the Economic Policy Institute.
Typical Costs for a Family in Chimayo NM:
- Housing (monthly): $1,535
- Food (monthly): $1,117
- Childcare (monthly): $1,672
- Meal at an inexpensive restaurant: $17.20
- Average monthly utilities in Chimayo: $181.47
Source: Numbeo
Chimayo Real Estate & Home Prices
If you’re moving to Chimayo NM, you can expect very fair prices. According to Redfin, the median home price in Chimayo Mexico is $285,000. This is lower than the national average of $440,910. It is also generally more affordable to buy a house in Chimayo than to buy a house in New Mexico, where the median home price is $356,000.
Average Rent Living in Chimayo NM
Because 80.5% of people living in Chimayo NM own their homes, rentals in Chimayo are limited. However, when living in Chimayo, you’ll find a few rental options such as Dakota Canyon Apartments and Local 1896. According to BestPlaces, the average rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Chimayo is $1,350 per month.
Chimayo New Mexico Neighborhoods | Where to live in Chimayo
Because Chimayo is so small, there are not many well-defined neighborhoods in the area. However, there are different sections of the city that are more popular among certain groups of people. The Northwestern part of Chimayo is the safest and most family-friendly. This is because of its distance from Santuario de Chimayo, the bustling destination of religious pilgrims visiting the city.
If you prefer to be closer to the action and enjoy apartment-style living, living in Central Chimayo near Santuario de Chimayo is still a good choice. The “downtown” boasts small galleries, coffee shops, spice shops, and the Chimayo Welcome Center. Even in the busiest area, the town is still sparsely populated, and it’s easy to find parking when living in Chimayo.
Chimayo New Mexico Weather & Climate
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While living in Chimayo, you’ll experience a cold semi-arid climate according to the Köppen classification system, due to its high elevation of approximately 6,075 above sea level.
As a high desert, residents living in Chimayo experience a low level of precipitation with hot, dry summers, and mild, cool winters with a typical high Chimayo temperature of 30 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Occasionally, Chimayo will experience light snow in the winter, but it’s not frequent.
While avoiding the rush of Holy Week and Good Friday tourism, the best season to visit Chimayo is during the spring (April - June) and autumn (September - October) when temperatures are perfect for outdoor exploration.
New Mexico experiences a monsoon season from June 15th to October 30th, and Chimayo is sometimes impacted.
Things to Do in Chimayo NM
Chimayo is a great destination for the culturally-minded traveler, and the cultural and artistic history of the area is a huge draw if you’re moving to Chimayo NM. The unique attractions reflect New Mexican history and traditions, including Centinela Traditional Arts and general stores and galleries like El Potrero Trading Post and Oviedo Carvings.
El Santuario de Chimayo
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El Santuario de Chimayo is the top destination to visit in Chimayo for Christians and non-Christians alike. It’s near the path of the Old Spanish Trail and has been a place of worship for over 200 years.
15 Santuario Dr, Chimayó, NM 87522, (505) 351‑4474
Ortega’s Weaving Gallery
At Ortega’s Weaving, you will find the legacy of nine generations of Chimayo NM’s best weavers. The showroom contains Native American jewelry and pottery, displays of Ortega blankets, coats, rugs, vests, purses, and cushions.
53 Plaza del Cerro, Chimayó, NM 87522, (505) 351‑4884
High Road to Taos Scenic Byway
This scenic road travels through Chimayo and goes through the badlands and the Jemez Mountains.
NM-76 from Chimayo through Truchas, Las Trampas, and Peñasco to Taos.
Chimayo New Mexico Restaurants
When living in Chimayo, you’ll find a wide variety of fantastic restaurants. Chimayo is known for the Chimayo chile pepper, an heirloom pepper variety with a complex sweet and smoky flavor. Most restaurants in the area utilize this delicious pepper in their culinary creations.
Rancho de Chimayo Restaurante
This James Beard award-winning restaurant serves traditional New Mexican cuisine. The family who runs this eatery has been living in Chimayo for the past 50 years, cooking signature dishes of spicy guacamole, hand-rolled tamales, blue corn enchiladas, carne adovada, and chile rellenos.
300 Juan Medina Rd, Chimayó, NM 87522, (505) 351‑4444
Chavez Gallery and Coffee Shop
Stop by for a well-brewed coffee or a light breakfast in this coffee shop that doubles as a gallery.
3A Santuario Ln, Chimayó, NM 87522, (505) 351‑2519
La Fonda del Santuario
After stopping by El Santuario, you can always pick up fresh tamales and other New Mexican treats at La Fonda.
Medina Line Unit Cafe, Chimayó, NM 87522, (505) 351‑4569
Jobs in Chimayo NM
Curious about job opportunities when living in Chimayo? Chimayo has a small local economy centered around primary industries like tourism and local services such as restaurants, gas stations, and small stores, as well as transportation and health care. The city has a low unemployment rate compared to nearby cities, and the per capita income for residents living in Chimayo, New Mexico is $31,124.
According to 2020 U.S. Census data, the most common employment industries for Chimayó residents are professional, scientific, and technical services (24.8%,) retail trade (10.1%), and healthcare and social assistance (8.7%).
Most people in Chimayo commute 32.5 minutes to their office in either Santa Fe or Española, New Mexico, where the average hourly pay rate is $17.5 per hour, according to PayScale. Additionally, the average salary in Chimayo/Española is $68,000 per year.
Top employers by employee count include Christus St Vincent, Presbyterian Santa Fe Medical Center, Eldorado Hotel & Spa, Hotel Chimayo de Santa Fe, and Hotel St. Francis, according to the journal Albuquerque Business First. If you’re looking for jobs in Chimayo, then check out the Rio Arriba County job board or search for Chimayo jobs in Indeed.
Chimayo New Mexico Schools
If you’re living in Chimayo NM with kids, you’ll be sending your littles to the Española Public School District, which is a Title-1 district and one of the best in the region.
Young students living in Chimayo attend Chimayo Elementary School right in town, and for middle and high school, students will travel a short distance to Carlos F. Vigil Middle School and Española Valley High School.
When it comes to higher education, you’ll find plenty of options in nearby Santa Fe, including Santa Fe Community College and Santa Fe College.
When living in Chimayo NM, you can enjoy the Pòe Tsáwä Community Library in nearby Owingeh.
Chimayo NM Statistics & Information
- County: Rio Arriba County (with a small portion in Santa Fe County)
- Chimayo area: 7.74 square miles
- Chimayo zip code: 87522
- Chimayo area code: 505
- Chimayo elevation: 6,067 feet
- Chimayo time zone: Mountain Time Zone (UTC -7 and -6)
- Closest airport to Chimayo: Santa Fe Regional Airport (SAF), 25 miles away
Chimayo New Mexico Map
Explore more things to do, restaurants, and amenities with this map of Chimayo NM.
Find Out What Moving to Chimayo Has in Store for You
Chimayo is a sun-drenched New Mexico town with a rich culture that just might be calling your name. When you’re ready to make the move to this historic community, you can trust the dedicated Chimayo movers at Pro Move Logistics to make the beginning of your chapter living in Chimayo easy. Call (505) 471-3434 today for a free quote.
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