Clovis, in the US state of New Mexico, is the closest major city to Cannon AFB. It has about 38,000 people, and is the county seat of Curry County, which has a population of about 48,000 people. Other nearby communities include Texico NM, Farwell TX, Melrose NM, and Portales NM.

It is about 8 miles from downtown Clovis to Cannon; this takes about 9 minutes to commute. The average commute in Curry County is about 15 minutes.

Major local employers are local agriculture businesses and transportation and services, most particularly the Southwest Cheese Company. Cannon is major employer, and there are many businesses related to serving the base personnel.

Local Housing Rental Prices: The average apartment rent in the Clovis area ranges from $350 to $600 per month, with a median of $455 per month.

Local Housing Purchase Prices: The average price for a house in Clovis is about $97,000, compared to $161,000 for New Mexico. The average price for a house in Curry County is about $96,000.

Short Description of the Area: Clovis is a small city on the easternmost border of New Mexico, near the border of north Texas. It is the main community of Curry County. The area is fairly flat, which leads to generally strong winds.

Portales NM is the county seat of Roosevelt County, and has a population of about 13,000. It is the home of Eastern New Mexico University, the third largest university in the state. Portales is about 17 miles from Cannon, a commute of about 24 minutes.

Texico NM is a town on the border of New Mexico and Texas (thus the name TEXas-New MexICO, nothing to do with the gasoline chain). It has a population of about 1,100 people, and is about 17 miles from Cannon, roughly a 25 minute commute.

Melrose NM is a small town of just over 600. It is about 19 miles from base, a commute of about 23 minutes.

Climate and Weather: The area has a generally temperate climate, winter temperatures of 25 to 50 and summer temperatures of 95-65. The area has hot summers, with rain storms and thunderstorms throughout, and occasional heat waves with spikes up to 110. Heavy rain can lead to flooding, as the area has limited drainage. Tornadoes are not common, but can occur - this area is on the edge of Tornado Alley. Winters cool and cold, with an average temperature range between 23°F and 53°F, with extreme lows under 0°, and up to 3 inches of snow per month. Winds can be steady, with an average speed of 12 mph. Overall the area is highly variable, with distinct seasons. The area is bright, with roughly 300 days of clear weather per year.