CountyScore

Costilla County

Colorado · CO

#18 in Colorado
74.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Costilla County, Colorado

Costilla Ranks High on U.S. Livability Scale

Costilla County's composite score of 79.0 outpaces the national median of 50.0 by 58%, ranking it among America's most livable counties. This standing reflects extraordinary housing affordability and exceptional tax efficiency, though severe income constraints offset these advantages.

Colorado's 5th-Best Overall Livability County

At 79.0, Costilla ranks 5th among Colorado's 64 counties, exceeding the state average of 71.8 by more than 7 points. The county competes with the state's most affordable destinations for cost-conscious households.

Extraordinary Tax Breaks and Low Housing Costs

Costilla excels with a tax score of 93.6—the lowest effective tax rate in this group at 0.310%—and a cost score of 85.9. A median home value of $171,300 and rent at $857/month create an exceptionally affordable living environment for those who can access income elsewhere.

Critically Low Incomes and Missing Services Data

Costilla's income score of 7.2 is the lowest in this group, with a median household income of just $36,519—well below poverty-adjacent thresholds for family living. Safety, health, school, and infrastructure data are unavailable, leaving questions about essential services unanswered.

Suited Only for Remote-Income or Retirement Households

Costilla County is viable only for retirees, remote workers, or those with substantial non-local income sources—local job markets cannot support family living. This ultra-affordable mountain county rewards complete economic self-reliance with minimal housing and tax burdens.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax93.6Cost85.9SafetyComing SoonHealth58SchoolsComing SoonIncome7.2Risk93.5WaterComing Soon
🏛93.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠85.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼7.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤58
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡93.5
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Costilla County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

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74.9
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Median income: $72,644
Allen Parish
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74.9
Median income: $51,138
Pickett County
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Median income: $44,591
Beaver County
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Median income: $85,603

Deep Dives

Costilla County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 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

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

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

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

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