CountyScore

Curry County

New Mexico · NM

#21 in New Mexico
68.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Curry County, New Mexico

Firmly above national standards

Curry County scores 68.3 out of 100, noticeably above the national median of 50.0 and in the upper range of American counties. Tax policy and housing affordability drive this above-average national standing.

Slightly below state average

At 68.3, Curry falls modestly below New Mexico's state average of 69.8, placing it just below the middle tier of state counties. The gap reflects income and housing cost pressures relative to the state norm.

Low taxes and solid income levels

Curry boasts strong tax performance (86.7) with the lowest effective tax rate in these eight counties at 0.555%, and the highest median household income at $56,259. Health outcomes are respectable at 64.2.

Housing costs are rising relative to income

While cost affordability is reasonable at 77.1, it's the lowest scoring dimension for Curry, with median rent at $987/month and home value at $160,800. Income score of 20.1 reflects the wage-to-cost tension in the county.

Good for working families seeking balance

Curry County appeals to working families earning $50,000-plus who value tax efficiency and reasonable housing alongside decent employment opportunities. The county offers more income potential than many rural New Mexico peers, making it suitable for those balancing lifestyle and career goals.

Score breakdown

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

Tax86.7Cost77.1SafetyComing SoonHealth64.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome20.1Risk38.2WaterComing Soon
🏛86.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠77.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼20.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤64.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡38.2
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 Curry County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Etowah County
Alabama
68.3
Median income: $53,070
Greene County
Arkansas
68.3
Median income: $56,793
Charlton County
Georgia
68.3
Median income: $48,534
Wilkes County
Georgia
68.3
Median income: $52,542
Greene County
Illinois
68.3
Median income: $60,976

Deep Dives

Curry County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Curry County

via TaxByCounty

Curry's tax rate sits slightly below national median

Curry County's effective tax rate of 0.555% runs modestly below the national median of 0.595%, placing it near the bottom third nationally. The median property tax of $893 represents just one-third of the national median of $2,690, reflecting Curry's lower median home value of $160,800.

Curry ranks among New Mexico's lower-tax counties

Curry County's 0.555% effective rate is about 6.7% below the New Mexico average of 0.595%, making it one of the state's most tax-friendly jurisdictions. The median tax of $893 trails the state average of $1,043, providing favorable tax treatment within New Mexico.

Curry competes well with surrounding rural counties

Curry's 0.555% rate is lower than most peer counties across eastern New Mexico and the panhandle region, offering competitive advantage for property owners. Its median home value of $160,800 aligns with other rural counties while maintaining lower effective tax rates.

A $160,800 home costs $893 annually

The typical Curry County homeowner with a median-valued property of $160,800 pays approximately $893 in annual property taxes. Owners with mortgages pay more due to escrow, averaging around $1,254 per year.

Assessment appeals remain worthwhile even at low rates

While Curry County maintains relatively low tax rates, homeowners should still consider appealing assessments if they believe valuations exceed fair market values. Even in favorable tax environments, successful appeals can provide additional relief.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Curry County

via CostByCounty

Curry's housing burden exceeds national and state norms

Curry County renters spend 21.1% of income on rent—significantly above the national benchmark of roughly 19% and the state average of 19.4%. Despite median household income of $56,259, residents here face one of New Mexico's tightest housing-affordability gaps, with median rent at $987 monthly.

Curry ranks among state's most strained housing markets

Curry County's rent-to-income ratio of 21.1% ranks it among New Mexico's least affordable counties, exceeding the state average by 1.7 percentage points. With median rent at $987—12% above the state mean of $876—Curry residents face above-average cost pressures.

Curry's rents rival Bernalillo's despite lower incomes

Curry's $987 median rent nearly matches Bernalillo's $1,087, yet Curry households earn $10,000 less annually, creating sharper affordability strain. This Clovis-anchored county occupies an unusual position: metro-level rents paired with rural-level incomes.

Homeownership offers modest relief in Curry

Curry renters pay $987 monthly while homeowners spend $879—an 11% discount that still leaves ownership among the state's pricier options, with median home value of $160,800. At $56,259 median income, housing consumes 21% of renters' earnings and 19% of owners' budgets.

Curry suits those with stable income or ownership plans

Curry County's above-average rents demand careful budgeting for renters, but the county appeals to those relocating with established employment or seeking affordable homeownership. Consider Curry if you have income stability and plan to buy rather than rent.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Curry County

via IncomeByCounty

Curry below national income, upper tier statewide

Curry County's median household income of $56,259 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by 25%, placing it in the bottom 35% of American counties. Despite the national gap, Curry ranks among New Mexico's better-performing counties economically.

Above-average income within New Mexico

Curry County's median household income of $56,259 exceeds New Mexico's state average of $55,469 by about 1%, placing it slightly ahead statewide. Among the eight counties examined, Curry ranks second, trailing only Bernalillo County by $10,000.

Curry leads peer rural counties

Curry County's $56,259 income ranks first among rural peer counties, outpacing Colfax County ($52,690), Chaves County ($52,029), and Cibola County ($51,765). This advantage reflects Curry's relative economic stability and more diverse employment base.

Housing costs rise relative to income

At 21.1%, Curry County's rent-to-income ratio is the highest among the eight counties, approaching the 30% affordability threshold. The median home value of $160,800 is manageable, but renters should monitor budget carefully to ensure housing costs don't crowd out other necessities.

Optimize budget to free savings capacity

With a relatively tight rent-to-income ratio, Curry County residents should audit monthly expenses for discretionary cuts—streaming services, dining out, subscriptions. Even finding $50-75 monthly in cuts enables meaningful retirement savings or debt reduction.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Curry County

via HealthByCounty

Curry trails national health averages

Curry County residents achieve a life expectancy of 72.6 years, falling about 1 year short of the U.S. average of 73.5 years. With 19.5% reporting poor or fair health—slightly above the national average of 19.2%—Curry shows mixed health outcomes for a rural area.

Below-average health within New Mexico

Curry's 72.6-year life expectancy sits below New Mexico's 73.7-year average, indicating weaker health outcomes than the state norm. The county's 11.1% uninsured rate exceeds the state average of 10.2%, suggesting significant access barriers for vulnerable populations.

Primary care shortage, mental health support

With 42 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Curry ranks among the lowest in primary care access—forcing many to travel for routine care. The county offers 690 mental health providers per 100,000, indicating solid behavioral health capacity relative to peers.

Insurance gaps drive healthcare disparities

One in nine Curry residents (11.1%) lack health insurance, creating access barriers compounded by limited primary care availability. The combination of low provider density and high uninsured rates leaves many residents unable to access preventive or urgent care.

Health insurance is within reach

Many Curry County residents qualify for subsidized coverage that makes insurance affordable, especially through New Mexico's marketplace. With limited local doctors, having insurance helps ensure you can travel for necessary care without devastating medical bills.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Curry County

via RiskByCounty

Curry County near national average risk

With a composite risk score of 61.83, Curry County slightly exceeds New Mexico's state average (58.92) and earns a relatively low risk rating. This eastern plains county faces moderate hazard exposure, with unique challenges from both storms and wildfires.

Below-average risk for New Mexico

Curry ranks in the lower half of New Mexico counties for overall disaster risk, well below counties like Bernalillo and Doña Ana. The county's plains geography provides some natural buffering against extreme hazard concentration.

Safer than Chaves County to south

Curry's 61.83 score runs notably lower than Chaves County (87.63) despite both occupying the eastern plains region. This difference reflects Curry's somewhat lower flood and wildfire exposure.

Wildfire and tornado as dual threats

Wildfire risk (95.71) and tornado risk (58.91) dominate Curry's hazard profile—an unusual pairing that reflects the county's position at the convergence of plains storms and dry forest zones. Flood risk (52.48) ranks lower but still merits attention during heavy precipitation events.

Dual preparedness for fire and storms

Prepare your home for both wildfire and severe weather: secure a safe room, maintain defensible space, and have evacuation plans ready for fire season. Verify that your homeowners policy covers both wildfire and wind damage, as both are real threats in Curry County.

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.