It has frequently been noted on lists of unusual place names for having chosen to rename itself in March 1950 after the Truth or Consequences radio show.

It was a part of the Rio Grande Project, an early large-scale irrigation effort authorized under the Newlands Reclamation Act of 1902.

[7] By the late 1930s, Hot Springs was filled with 40 different natural-hot-spring spas – one per every 75 residents at the time – though primarily catering to visitors.

The city changed its name from Hot Springs[8] to Truth or Consequences as the result of a radio show contest.

In March 1950, Ralph Edwards, the host of the NBC Radio quiz show Truth or Consequences, announced that he would air the program on its 10th anniversary from the first town that renamed itself after the show; Hot Springs officially changed its name on March 31, 1950, and the program was broadcast from there the following evening.

The combined flow of the hot springs complex in Truth or Consequences is estimated at 99 liters (26 U.S. gal) per second.

The Carrie Tingley Hospital, for children with physical disabilities, used state funding to create a physical-therapy program in Truth or Consequences, but has since moved to Albuquerque.

Truth or Consequences has a cool desert climate (Köppen BWk) with three main seasons.

The summer season from April to June is very dry and generally hot with large diurnal temperature variation, giving way in July to the monsoon season which remains very hot – and is more uncomfortable due to the hotter nights – but is much more humid as rainfall from thunderstorms is frequent.

The hottest temperature on record is 111 °F (43.9 °C) on June 26–27, 1994, though minimums virtually never stay above 75 °F (23.9 °C) due to the low humidity and hot sun.

[14] Notable artists who live and work in Truth or Consequences include the painter Delmas Howe who was called, in 1990, by the art writer Edward Lucie-Smith "probably America's best known 'gay artist'—in the sense that he is the best-known artist who puts homosexual feeling at the very center of his work.

[16][17] Although located over 200 miles from Santa Fe, the town is considered an art-centric hub in New Mexico, and includes a periodic "Art Hop" built around Main Street and the historical hot springs district.

[18][19] Truth or Consequences, N.M. is a 1997 American neo-noir film directed by and starring Kiefer Sutherland, Vincent Gallo, and Rod Steiger among others.