Chaves County scores 66.3 out of 100, outperforming the national median of 50.0 by a meaningful margin. This positions the county in the stronger half of U.S. counties for overall livability, despite being slightly below New Mexico's state average.
2 / 5
Close to middle of the pack
At 66.3, Chaves falls just below New Mexico's state average of 69.8, placing it near the middle of New Mexico's county rankings. The county's profile is fairly balanced across its measured dimensions.
3 / 5
Excellent affordability and low taxes
Chaves excels in cost (83.3) with exceptionally affordable housing—median home value of just $141,900 and rent at $838/month—plus a tax score of 84.1 and effective rate of 0.645%. Risk management is solid at 12.4, indicating stable conditions.
4 / 5
Health outcomes and income need attention
The county's health score of 60.2 is below state and national standards, and income at 17.4 reflects a median household income of only $52,029. These gaps suggest both healthcare access barriers and limited earning opportunities.
5 / 5
Best for budget-conscious families
Chaves County suits families prioritizing affordability and low taxes who can navigate healthcare access limitations and modest wage expectations. The strong housing values make it appealing for first-time buyers or those stretching limited budgets.
Chaves County scores 66.3 out of 100, outperforming the national median of 50.0 by a meaningful margin. This positions the county in the stronger half of U.S. counties for overall livability, despite being slightly below New Mexico's state average.
Close to middle of the pack
At 66.3, Chaves falls just below New Mexico's state average of 69.8, placing it near the middle of New Mexico's county rankings. The county's profile is fairly balanced across its measured dimensions.
Excellent affordability and low taxes
Chaves excels in cost (83.3) with exceptionally affordable housing—median home value of just $141,900 and rent at $838/month—plus a tax score of 84.1 and effective rate of 0.645%. Risk management is solid at 12.4, indicating stable conditions.
Health outcomes and income need attention
The county's health score of 60.2 is below state and national standards, and income at 17.4 reflects a median household income of only $52,029. These gaps suggest both healthcare access barriers and limited earning opportunities.
Best for budget-conscious families
Chaves County suits families prioritizing affordability and low taxes who can navigate healthcare access limitations and modest wage expectations. The strong housing values make it appealing for first-time buyers or those stretching limited budgets.
Score breakdown
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🏛84.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Chaves taxes exceed national median by 8.4 percent
Chaves County's effective tax rate of 0.645% runs above the national median of 0.595%, placing it slightly above average nationally. The median property tax of $915 is just one-third of the national median of $2,690, reflecting Chaves' lower median home values of $141,900.
Chaves ranks in the middle of state rates
Chaves County's 0.645% effective rate stands about 8% above the New Mexico average of 0.595%, positioning it firmly in the state's mid-range. The median tax of $915 approaches the state average of $1,043, reflecting modest tax obligations within New Mexico.
Chaves sits between rural and moderate-tax counties
Chaves County's 0.645% rate falls between Catron's low 0.339% and Cibola's higher 0.819%, reflecting its mid-range position in regional tax competition. Its median home value of $141,900 is among the region's lowest, keeping absolute tax bills manageable.
A $141,900 home costs $915 annually
The typical Chaves County homeowner with a median-valued property of $141,900 pays approximately $915 in annual property taxes. Those with mortgages pay more due to escrow, averaging around $1,171 per year.
Assessment appeals can offset rate increases
Many Chaves County homeowners may be overassessed and should explore appealing their property valuations to reduce tax liability. Even modest assessment reductions can yield meaningful annual savings in a county where absolute tax bills remain relatively modest.
Chaves balances modest incomes with affordable housing
Chaves County renters dedicate 19.3% of income to rent, nearly aligned with the national standard, though median household income of $52,029 falls 30% short of the national average of $74,755. The county's $838 median rent remains accessible even for lower-wage households.
Mid-pack affordability in New Mexico's rural corridor
Chaves ranks slightly above the state average for rent burden at 19.3% compared to New Mexico's 19.4%, with rents of $838 sitting midway between expensive metros and ultra-cheap rural counties. This Southeastern region offers moderate housing costs for those seeking a middle ground.
Chaves costs less than Bernalillo, more than rural peers
Chaves's $838 rent falls between Bernalillo's $1,087 and the cheapest rural counties like Catron ($740) and Cibola ($724). This Roswell-anchored county provides more housing supply and affordability than the state's largest metro without sacrificing all amenities.
Housing spans nearly one-fifth of Chaves incomes
Renters in Chaves spend $838 monthly while homeowners pay $660—making ownership 21% cheaper, a pattern common in rural New Mexico. At $52,029 median income, housing consumes between 15-19% of most households' annual earnings.
Chaves suits those balancing affordability and access
Chaves County offers a measured option for families wanting lower costs than Albuquerque but more services and opportunity than isolated rural counties. Consider this region if you value a small-city feel with manageable rent and a stable rental market.
Chaves County's median household income of $52,029 falls 30% short of the U.S. median of $74,755, placing it in the bottom 30% of American counties. This shortfall reflects limited employment opportunities outside agriculture and energy sectors.
Below-average income within New Mexico
Chaves County's median household income of $52,029 runs 6% below New Mexico's state average of $55,469. The county sits in the middle-to-lower tier statewide, competing economically with other rural counties.
Similar income to other rural peers
Chaves County's $52,029 income closely mirrors Cibola County ($51,765) and Colfax County ($52,690), but trails Curry County ($56,259) by $4,000. The similarity reflects shared rural economic challenges across southeastern and north-central New Mexico.
Housing costs stable, but margins tight
At 19.3%, Chaves' rent-to-income ratio sits just below the 30% affordability ceiling, meaning housing costs consume nearly one-fifth of median income. The median home value of $141,900 is achievable, but leaves limited cushion for savings or other obligations.
Leverage employer benefits for wealth building
Chaves County workers should maximize any employer-sponsored retirement plans or matching contributions—even small matches provide instant returns. Automatic payroll deductions for savings accounts or low-cost index funds ensure consistent wealth building without requiring large upfront decisions.
Chaves County residents live an average of 72.2 years, nearly 1.5 years below the U.S. average of 73.5 years. With 23.8% of residents reporting poor or fair health—the highest rate among these eight counties—Chaves faces significant health challenges.
Lowest life expectancy in the region
Chaves County's 72.2-year life expectancy falls 1.5 years below New Mexico's 73.7-year average, ranking among the state's worst. The county's 11% uninsured rate exceeds the state average of 10.2%, leaving more residents vulnerable to healthcare disruptions.
Fewer providers than comparable counties
With just 62 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Chaves has fewer than Bernalillo (106) but matches Cibola and Curry. The county's 156 mental health providers per 100,000 ranks in the middle range regionally, suggesting some behavioral health capacity despite broader health struggles.
Double burden: uninsured and underserved
One in nine Chaves residents (11%) lack any health insurance, creating barriers to both preventive and emergency care. Limited primary care capacity—62 providers per 100,000—means residents often travel far for routine doctor visits, delaying care.
Getting insured could save your life
Health coverage directly improves your chances of catching and treating serious conditions early—especially important in Chaves where access is stretched thin. Explore subsidized plans through New Mexico's marketplace; many working families qualify for reduced-cost options.
With a composite risk score of 87.63, Chaves County exceeds New Mexico's state average (58.92) and sits in the relatively moderate risk tier. The county's southeastern location exposes it to unique hazard combinations, including flood and wildfire threats that affect the region simultaneously.
Third-riskiest county in New Mexico
Chaves ranks third statewide for overall disaster risk, behind Doña Ana and Bernalillo counties. The county's exposure to multiple concurrent hazards—particularly flooding and wildfire—drives this elevated ranking.
Notably higher risk than eastern peers
Chaves's score of 87.63 substantially exceeds Curry County (61.83) and De Baca County (4.07) to its northeast. This positions Chaves as the higher-risk anchor in the southeastern plains region.
Floods and wildfires create compound threat
Flood risk (92.33) and wildfire risk (92.46) are nearly equal and both extreme, making Chaves particularly vulnerable to back-to-back disasters that can overwhelm response capacity. Hurricane risk (39.01), while modest compared to Gulf states, adds a secondary water hazard during storm season.
Flood and wildfire insurance critical
Obtain separate flood insurance immediately—it's not included in standard policies and claims often exceed expectations in Chaves County. Also verify wildfire coverage and consider additional protection for property in wildland-adjacent areas.