countyscore
62.6
County Score
Property Tax 97.9Safety 97.5Disaster Risk 93.5

County Report Card

About Costilla County, Colorado

Above national average despite economic challenges

Costilla County's composite score of 62.6 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by 12.6 points, placing it in the 63rd percentile. This strong national ranking is notable given the county's significant income constraints, reflecting resilience in other livability dimensions.

Upper-middle Colorado performer

Costilla scores 11.4 points above the state average of 51.2, ranking in Colorado's top third despite having the state's lowest median household income. The county demonstrates that livability extends far beyond earning potential when safety and affordability align.

Safety and tax efficiency shine

Costilla has the highest safety score (97.5) among all eight counties and the lowest effective tax rate (0.310%) with a tax score of 97.9. The county also scores well on cost (73.3) with a median home value of $171,300 and rent at $857, making it extremely secure and affordable for budget-conscious residents.

Income and health require urgent investment

The county faces severe income challenges with only a 1.3 score and median household income of just $36,519—the lowest in this county grouping and limiting economic independence. Health (20.6) is also critically weak, suggesting inadequate healthcare facilities, workforce, or prevention programs.

Best for security-seeking retirees and seniors

Costilla County is well-suited for retirees living on fixed incomes and seniors prioritizing safety and affordability above all else. The county offers exceptional security and minimal tax burden, but requires acceptance of very limited earning and healthcare options, making it less appropriate for working-age families seeking career growth.

Score breakdown

Tax97.9Cost73.3Safety97.5Health20.6Schools32.6Income1.3Risk93.5Water14.2Weather51.8
🏛97.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠73.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼1.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡97.5
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤20.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓32.6
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡93.5
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧14.2
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤51.8
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨61.6
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱42
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty →
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty →
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Nearby counties

Alamosa County
Colorado
37
Huerfano County
Colorado
56.6
Conejos County
Colorado
64.2
Taos County
New Mexico
48.2
Colfax County
New Mexico
54.4
Las Animas County
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40.1
Custer County
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63.1
Rio Grande County
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40.6

Deep Dives

Costilla County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 10 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Costilla County

via TaxByCounty

Costilla's tax rate below national median

Costilla County's effective rate of 0.310% sits comfortably below the national median of 0.370%, placing it in roughly the 30th percentile. On a $171,300 median home, residents pay just $531 annually—far below the national median property tax of $2,690.

Colorado's lower-tax counties

Costilla's 0.310% rate ranks among Colorado's lowest, sitting notably below the state average of 0.393%. The county's median tax of $531 is among the state's most affordable, reflecting both low effective rates and modest home values.

South-central tax advantage

Costilla's 0.310% rate is one of Colorado's most favorable, lower than neighboring Conejos County (0.404%). This rural southern Colorado county offers some of the state's lightest property tax burdens.

Median home costs just $531 yearly

On Costilla's $171,300 median home, annual property taxes run approximately $531. Mortgage holders pay $931, while those without mortgages pay $455.

Even low taxes warrant review

Many Colorado property owners are overassessed relative to market value and can appeal their valuations to save hundreds annually. If you believe your home is assessed too high, your county assessor's office can walk you through the process.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Costilla County

via CostByCounty

Costilla struggles with affordability stress

Costilla County's rent-to-income ratio of 28.2% is among Colorado's worst and far exceeds the national average, placing severe affordability strain on renters. With a median household income of just $36,519, this county struggles with the gap between wages and housing costs.

Colorado's most unaffordable rental market

Costilla ranks as one of Colorado's least affordable counties, with a 28.2% rent-to-income ratio exceeding the state average by 8 percentage points. This southern county faces the steepest housing affordability crisis among these eight counties.

Lowest income, highest cost burden

Costilla's $857 median rent is comparable to Cheyenne's ($862), but its $36,519 median income is $31,249 below Cheyenne—creating a far steeper affordability burden. This income-to-rent mismatch makes Costilla uniquely challenging for renters.

Rent dominates household budgets

Costilla renters spend a crushing 28.2% of their $36,519 median income on monthly rent, leaving minimal resources for utilities, food, and transportation. Homeowners fare slightly better at 15.3% of income, but the county's low incomes strain all household budgets.

Relocating to Costilla requires careful planning

This county offers the lowest home values ($171,300) and modest rents, but only works for those with remote income or substantial savings cushion. Without supplemental earnings, housing affordability remains the county's defining challenge.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Costilla County

via IncomeByCounty

Costilla faces Colorado's deepest income crisis

Costilla County's median household income of $36,519 represents a devastating $38,236 shortfall from the national median of $74,755—more than 50% below average. This ranks among the poorest counties in Colorado and signals severe economic distress.

Colorado's lowest household income county

At $36,519, Costilla County's median household income ranks at or near the absolute bottom among Colorado's 64 counties, trailing the state average of $74,792 by $38,273. Population decline, limited employment, and agricultural dependence define the county's dire economic situation.

Costilla isolated in poverty among peers

Costilla's $36,519 income falls sharply below Conejos ($47,209) and Crowley ($47,563), marking it as the poorest in this trio of struggling southern Colorado counties. Without regional economic anchors or workforce diversification, the county faces mounting challenges.

Housing burden crushes Costilla households

Costilla residents dedicate 28.2% of their already-lean $36,519 income to rent—the highest rent burden among these eight counties and well above healthy affordability. This leaves families with minimal resources for food, healthcare, or savings.

Costilla needs economic renewal, not just savings

With median household income at $36,519, Costilla households face structural economic challenges beyond individual financial planning. Community investment in job creation, workforce training, and economic diversification must precede wealth-building for most residents.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Costilla County

via CrimeByCounty

Costilla County Reports Minimal Activity

Costilla County currently holds a perfect 100.0 safety score with a reported crime rate of 0.0 per 100K. This stands in stark contrast to the national average of 2,385.5 incidents per 100K.

Leading the State in Safety Scores

The county's 100.0 safety score far exceeds the state average of 97.1. While the 0.0 crime rate is the lowest possible, it is based on reports from a single agency and should be interpreted with caution.

Analyzing Data from Single Agencies

Compared to nearby Conejos County at 291.3 per 100K, Costilla's data suggests almost no reported criminal activity. Residents should note that single-agency reporting can sometimes reflect limited data collection rather than a total absence of crime.

No Reported Violent or Property Crimes

Both violent and property crime rates sit at 0.0 per 100K for the reporting period. This is an exceptional figure compared to the national property crime rate of 2,015.7.

Maintain Security Awareness

Even when data shows zero crime, staying proactive with home security is a smart habit. Basic precautions like locking doors and installing motion lights help ensure these numbers stay low.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Health in Costilla County

via HealthByCounty

Costilla faces severe longevity gap

At 69.9 years, Costilla County residents live 8.4 years less than the U.S. average of 78.3 years—among the lowest life expectancies in the nation. With 24.0% reporting poor or fair health, the county experiences health challenges far exceeding national norms.

Colorado's shortest life expectancy

Costilla County's 69.9-year life expectancy ranks last in Colorado, trailing the state average of 78.2 years by 8.3 years. The 24.0% poor/fair health rate is the state's highest, reflecting severe, multifaceted health disparities.

Southern counties struggle together

Costilla's 69.9-year life expectancy is the lowest in the southern Colorado cluster, surpassed only by Crowley County (70.1 years) and Conejos County (72.7 years). All three face pronounced provider shortages; Costilla's primary care data is unavailable, deepening uncertainty about care pathways.

Uninsured rates strain limited capacity

Costilla's 11.1% uninsured rate is the state's highest, exceeding Colorado's 9.7% average and leaving one in nine residents without coverage. With limited primary care data and just 28 mental health providers per 100K, the county's health infrastructure struggles to serve those it can reach.

Getting covered is critical now

Costilla's high uninsured rate leaves families vulnerable—don't wait. Visit Colorado's health marketplace today to find affordable coverage and secure your family's health.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Schools in Costilla County

via SchoolsByCounty

Focused K-12 Comprehensive Education

Costilla County employs a unique educational model with two comprehensive PK-12 schools serving 482 students. Two districts each manage a single school building, streamlining resources for the county’s student population. There are no charter or middle-school-only facilities, as all grades are integrated into single-campus environments.

High Investment Amid Academic Challenges

The county spends $8,004 per pupil, which is notably higher than the Colorado state average of $7,447. However, the graduation rate currently sits at 71.1%, trailing the state benchmark of 83.1%. The composite school score of 45.7 indicates a system that is working to overcome rural educational hurdles.

A Tale of Two Consolidated Districts

Sierra Grande School District No. R-30 is the larger provider, enrolling 289 students in its K-12 program. Centennial School District No. R-1 serves the remaining 193 students in the county. Both districts prioritize the continuity of having a student's entire academic career on one campus.

The All-in-One School Feel

Education in Costilla County is entirely rural, with an average school size of 241 students. Because schools serve grades PK through 12, older students and younger children often share the same campus, creating a multi-generational community bond. Sierra Grande K-12 is the larger of the two facilities, providing a central hub for the eastern portion of the county.

Community-Driven Schools in the Valley

Families looking for a tight-knit school environment where teachers know students from kindergarten through graduation will find it in Costilla County. Higher-than-average per-pupil spending reflects a community committed to investing in its future. Consider a home near Blanca or San Luis to join these distinctive K-12 school communities.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Costilla County

via RiskByCounty

Costilla County is exceptionally safe

Costilla's composite risk score of 6.55 places it in the very low category, among the safest counties in the nation. Despite its mountain location, the county faces minimal overall natural disaster exposure.

One of Colorado's safest counties

Costilla's 6.55 score is well below Colorado's 40.67 state average, ranking it near the bottom of the state's 64 counties for disaster risk. Residents enjoy exceptional safety compared to state peers.

Safest county in the south-central region

Costilla (6.55) is substantially safer than Conejos to the east (22.93) and Chaffee to the north (51.11). Its isolation and topography provide natural protection from major hazards.

Wildfire is the primary concern

Costilla's wildfire risk of 73.12 is its only notable hazard, reflecting forest coverage in the San Isabel area. Flood, tornado, and earthquake risks all remain minimal, below 37.

Basic coverage suffices for most residents

Standard homeowners insurance covers your main exposures, though wildfire coverage should be verified given your county's 73.12 score. Property owners in forested areas should maintain defensible space as an inexpensive risk reduction strategy.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Weather & Climate in Costilla County

via WeatherByCounty

Costilla: High-Altitude Mountain Valley Climate

At 43.8°F, Costilla County is approximately 5.7 degrees colder than the U.S. median of 49.5°F, placing it solidly in the cold-altitude tier. With 9.4 inches of annual precipitation, Costilla County is significantly drier than the national median of 15.2 inches, though it sits in a rain-shadow valley. This high-elevation, arid mountain climate is characteristic of Colorado's southern uplands.

Costilla: Cold Valley at the State's Edge

Costilla County's 43.8°F average ranks 2.2 degrees below Colorado's state average of 46.0°F, while its 9.4 inches of precipitation fall well short of the state average of 16.0 inches. The county sits in the extreme southern part of Colorado, bordering New Mexico, where elevation and rain-shadow effects combine to create persistent cold and aridity. Its climate is defined by the San Luis Valley's geographic isolation.

Isolated Valley, Similar to Conejos

Costilla County's climate closely mirrors neighboring Conejos County to the west (both at 43.8°F and similarly dry), reflecting their shared San Luis Valley setting. Both counties are noticeably cooler and drier than Huerfano County to the northeast, which benefits from slightly lower elevation and more moisture. Compared to high-plains counties like Las Animas to the east, Costilla is both colder and drier.

Rare Heat, Long Cold, Limited Data

Costilla County experiences just 3 days per year above 90°F, with July temperatures averaging 65.3°F and January dropping to 20.9°F. While annual snowfall data is not available, the county's location and temperature patterns suggest 20–30 inches is typical for the San Luis Valley. The persistent cold and low precipitation create a harsh environment for agriculture and outdoor work.

Plan for Isolation and Extreme Dryness

Residents must account for extreme dryness (9.4 inches annually): invest in long-lasting water systems, drought-resistant landscaping, and indoor humidifiers for winter comfort. The county's remote location and limited precipitation data mean weather forecasting is less precise; stock emergency supplies year-round and maintain vehicles in peak condition for sudden winter weather. Outdoor recreation is best in summer and early fall when temperatures reach 55–65°F; winter drives demand chains and survival kits.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Costilla County

via SoilByCounty

Superior High-Altitude Soil

Costilla County earns an impressive soil score of 61.6, nearly double the state average of 31.3. The average pH of 6.77 is very close to the ideal national median of 6.5. This makes the soil significantly more neutral and plant-friendly than most of Colorado.

Sandy Loam Advantages

The soil consists of 54.3% sand, 24.8% silt, and 13.2% clay. This sand-heavy mix provides excellent drainage and ease of cultivation for farmers. It balances structural stability with the ability to warm up quickly in the spring sun.

Elite Organic Matter Levels

The soil contains a staggering 14.38% organic matter, far exceeding the state average of 2.18%. While the available water capacity is 0.130 in/in, the rich nutrient profile supports robust plant growth. This creates one of the most fertile foundations in the entire state.

Fast-Draining Valley Floors

The high sand content ensures that the soil is naturally well-draining, preventing root rot and ponding. While specific hydrologic groups are not listed, the physical composition favors efficient water movement. This is ideal for crops that require aeration and consistent moisture access.

Vibrant High-Valley Gardens

Belonging to USDA Hardiness Zone 5b, this county is perfect for growing diverse cool-season crops. The exceptional fertility makes it an ideal spot for heirloom vegetables and productive orchards. Start your garden today to take advantage of this rare, nutrient-dense soil.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Costilla County

via LawnByCounty

Navigating Costilla's High-Desert Lawn Care

Costilla County scores a 42.0 on the lawn difficulty scale, making it easier to manage than the state average of 37.4 but still trailing the national median. This Zone 5b region requires a disciplined approach to irrigation and soil management. Your success depends on bridging the gap between local aridity and turf's high water needs.

Low Precipitation and Moderate Heat

With only 9.4 inches of rain per year, your lawn is constantly operating at a moisture deficit compared to the 30-inch minimum most grasses prefer. The climate stays relatively cool with only 3 extreme heat days, allowing the 1,584 growing degree days to be used efficiently for turf development. Your season is defined by the late May frost and the early September chill.

Ideal pH Levels in Sandy Grounds

You have a significant advantage with a soil pH of 6.77, which falls right in the 'sweet spot' for lawn health. Your soil is 54.3% sand and 13.2% clay, meaning it drains quickly but may struggle to hold onto nutrients. Frequent, light fertilization and organic top-dressing can help your sandy soil retain the moisture and food your grass needs.

Facing Nearly a Full Year of Drought

Costilla County has faced 50 weeks of drought in the last year, and nearly 18% of the area is currently in severe drought. These conditions are tough on shallow-rooted turfgrass. To build resilience, mow high—at 3 to 4 inches—to shade the soil and reduce the evaporation of your limited water supply.

Starting Strong in Late Spring

Kentucky Bluegrass and Fine Fescue are reliable choices for your 5b hardiness zone and sandy soil. Wait until the final spring frost on May 31st to begin seeding or laying sod for the best results. Despite the drought, your near-perfect soil pH gives you a head start that many other Colorado counties lack.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Costilla County's county score?
Costilla County, Colorado has a composite county score of 62.6 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Costilla County rank among counties in Colorado?
Costilla County ranks #11 among all counties in Colorado on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Costilla County, Colorado?
The median annual property tax in Costilla County is $531, with an effective tax rate of 0.31%. This earns Costilla County a tax score of 97.9/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Costilla County?
The median household income in Costilla County, Colorado is $36,519 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Costilla County earns an income score of 1.3/100 on CountyScore.
Is Costilla County, Colorado a good place to live?
Costilla County scores 62.6/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #11 in Colorado. The best way to evaluate Costilla County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Costilla County with other counties side by side.

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🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality🌤Weather & Climate🪨Soil Quality🌱Lawn Care🛒Farmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.