Around 78 miles east of Albuquerque, and right on Route 66, the small town of Grants serves as the seat of Cibola County. Its affordable midcentury homes offer panoramic views of high desert scenery. Mount Taylor’s snowy hills are immediately north of the city, and El Malpais’ lava fields are famous for their unique rock formations. Like other frontier towns in the American West, Grants’ economy has had to reinvent several times over the last century. From being the country’s carrot farming capital in the early 20th century, to becoming its largest uranium mining district in the midcentury, Grants’ economy now centers around Route 66 tourism, the Cibola General Hospital and the prison industry. Five county jails and public prisons call Grants and its neighbor Milan home and have been the area’s top employers since the fall of uranium mining in the 1980s.
El Malpais National Monument is a phenomenal spot for sightseers and adventures alike in Grants.
Grants is a small town in Western New Mexico that has continually thrives through the many eras.
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Low housing prices in Grants
As of early 2025, Grants’ median home price is $190,000, far below the medians for both the nation and Albuquerque. Most properties are either midcentury modern or ranch-style, built on a quarter acre or more during the city’s uranium mining days. Prices generally range between $100,000 and $300,000, largely depending on their state of renovation. In Grants’ remote, northernmost reaches, Spanish Revival homes from the early 2000s are common, typically ranging from $300,000 to $400,000, depending on the number of bedrooms.
Residents of Grants can find beautiful ranch style homes with the white fences.
Many homes in Grants keep a consistent style like style homes in certain neighborhoods.
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Cibola County Schools and New Mexico State University
Grants-Cibola County Schools (GCCS) receives an overall score of C from Niche. The C-rated Grants High School is known for its strong football and baseball teams, with the latter winning the state championship in 2024. The GCCS Early College High Schools enables students to simultaneously pursue high school and college diplomas. New Mexico State University’s Grants Campus offers 12 associates degrees programs.
Grants High School focuses on preparing their students for the future.
Grants is home to a NMSU campus, easily accessible for students.
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Snow mountain hills, lava fields and golf nearby
Located within the 1.9-million-acre Cibola National Forest, Grants is surrounded by desert and mountain spaces. Immediately north of the city, Mount Taylor is the highest point in the entire Cibola National Forest. Every February, its snowy hills, juniper-piñon woodlands and ponderosa pines form the course of the Mount Taylor Winter Quadrathlon. At El Malpais National Monument 14 miles south, guided tours take visitors through dried lava fields, lush grasslands and lava-formed caves. The Grants Mining District’s abandoned uranium mines can still be found in these public areas; the Environmental Protection Agency advises to remain away from these mines due to their radioactivity.
Within Grants, locals have access to a handful of parks and recreation options, including a recreation center, dog park and trail system along the San Jose River. Coyote del Malpais on the city’s eastern edge is an 18-hole course surrounded by high desert scenery.
El Malpais National Park sits just outside of Grants and provides stunning natural sights.
Coyote Del Malpais is a beautiful golf course in Grants providing 18 holes of natural beauty.
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Route 66 businesses, Interstate 40 travel routes
The famous Route 66 forms Grants’ Main Street and is lined with grocery stores, shopping strips and local businesses. Although many storefronts here have closed and boarded up over time, the neon motel signs, colorful murals and 1912 Market cafe still capture the Americana spirit of a Route 66 pit stop. Additional attractions include the New Mexico Mining Museum and Double Six Gallery, which tell the story of the city’s past with artifacts, mine tours and Southwestern art. For a larger array of shopping and dining options, Interstate 40 leads 78 miles west to Albuquerque.
The Grants Mining Museum provides an in depth look into the mining history of the area.
The 1912 Market is the perfect stop in Grants for coffee and much more.
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Lowering crime rates in Grants
According to the most recent FBI data, Grants’ crime rates decreased significantly between 2014 and 2023: property crime by 98%, and violent crime by 87%.
Written By
Fletcher Varnson
Photography Contributed By
Kody Martin
Video By
Francesco Basti
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This spacious home offers over 2,500 sqft with solid potential. It features a primary bedroom + 1 additional bedroom downstairs, 2 bedrooms upstairs, and 2 bathrooms total. Primary suite is the unfinished room that was being remodeled by current owner. Upstairs there is a small landing loft with lots of natural light. The home needs refreshing, but the home has strong underlying value.
Rimrock Ranch is 5,137.54 acres total. This beautiful ranch is located 60 miles South of Grants, NM or 35 miles north of Pie Town. In Cibola and Catron Counties. South of El Malpais National Monument.COMMENTS:This gentleman's ranch offers beautiful scenic views of mesas and sandstone bluffs located right in the middle of America's Top Trophy Elk. You can enjoy a quiet lifestyle or
This thoughtfully maintained residence offers comfortable, turn-key living in a compact and efficient layout. The kitchen has been refreshed with essential appliances already in place, including a gas range, microwave, washer, and refrigerator, making move-in seamless from day one. A standout feature of the property is the spacious detached garage, designed with functionality in mind. It includes
Welcome to this updated 2-bedroom, 1-bath home in Grants, NM, featuring numerous improvements completed in 2021-2022. The home has been thoughtfully refreshed with all new plumbing, a fully remodeled bathroom, and an updated kitchen, along with fresh interior and exterior paint.Recent upgrades include a new water heater (11/25) and a new furnace (10/25), providing added comfort and efficiency.
Approximately 9.5 acres of flat, developable land located at the corner of Mt. Taylor Avenue and Sakelares in Grants. Zoned R-1 Single-Family Residential per the City of Grants Code Enforcement Office, this property offers excellent potential for a future residential subdivision or a possible re-zone for alternative uses, subject to city approval. The parcel features strong visibility and
Welcome to your dream home! This spacious 3000 sq. ft. inviting home sits on a full acre of land in a highly desirable location. Featuring tall ceilings, rich wood finishes, and an open floor plan, this home is perfect for both comfortable living and entertaining. The heart of the home is the large, open kitchen, which flows seamlessly into the dining and living areas—perfect for keeping everyone
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