Jal () is a small city located in Lea County, New Mexico, United States. It is New Mexico's south-easternmost city, and shares a border with Texas to the east and south. The population was estimated to be 2,069 in 2023. Jal is historically important in the natural gas industry, from the early 1900s to the present day.

Official town website ↗

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

Town numbers

ZIP code88252

Area code505

Living in Jal

Housing in Jal

$151K▼ 6.4% in a year Typical home value · Zillow

The typical Jal home is worth about $151,000, down 6.4% in a year, 53% below the New Mexico typical home.

Only 2 sales in May 2026, too few for a market read. The typical value is the steadier guide.

Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data CenterHousing market →

Safety in Jal

—

Not graded

A grade needs all of the FBI's latest years (2023–2025). Jal's police department reported only 2024, so we don't grade it yet. The figures below are still real.

Violent crime per 1,000

Jal 0

New Mexico 7.4

U.S. 3.6

Property crime per 1,000

Jal 1.4

New Mexico 28.9

U.S. 17.7

FBI crime data, 2024 · crimes reported to policeCrime & safety →

Work & commute in Jal

Full picture →

44% of Jal’s working residents work right in town. The top destinations are Hobbs (7%), Carlsbad (6%) and Albuquerque (5%). Half commute less than 18 miles.

Hobbs

Carlsbad

Albuquerque

Loving

44%Work in townlive and work in Jal 18 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 958Jobs based herebalanced

Census LEHD 2023 · ACSWork & commute in Jal →

Health in Jal

Health Grade C

Healthier than 30% of U.S. towns on seven CDC estimates.

Compared with New Mexico

1better than NM·6worse

of 32 measures CDC estimates. The other 25 are too close to call.

Conditions 1▲ 1▼ 10 close Habits all close Care 4▼ 3 close Mind all close Everyday needs 1▼ 3 close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

6.6%Fewer adults who have had cancerNM 7.4% · better 20%More older adults who have lost all their teethNM 14.2% · worse

Care nearby

Winkler County Memorial HospitalKermit · 19.2 mi · ER · rural critical access

Pms - Hobbs Family Health CenterHobbs · 41.2 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careShortage · county-wide

DentalShortage · county-wide

Mental healthShortage · county-wide

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CDC's estimate for Jal · CMS · HRSAHealth in Jal →

Natural hazards in Jal

Moderate

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 45% of U.S. communities.

🌊 Inland flooding🔥 Wildfire🧊 Hail

4Does Jal flood?paid flood claims since 1990 NoneDisasters that paid out hereof 5 declared for Lea County

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in Jal →

Climate in Jal

Full climate →

Jal has mild winters and hot summers, with very little rain. A typical July afternoon reaches 97°, a January night drops to 29°, and about 2 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.

62° / 31°Winter

81° / 49°Spring

96° / 68°Summer

79° / 49°Fall