Doña Ana County scores 65.3 out of 100, clearly above the national median of 50.0 and in the upper half of U.S. counties. The county's balanced profile across tax, cost, and income dimensions supports this solid national position.
2 / 5
Below state average, mid-range performer
At 65.3, Doña Ana falls below New Mexico's state average of 69.8, placing it in the lower-middle tier of New Mexico counties. The county's profile shows strengths offset by income limitations.
3 / 5
Balanced strengths in taxes and costs
Doña Ana scores well on tax burden (83.0) with an effective rate of 0.683% and cost affordability (79.3) with median home value of $205,400 and rent at $903/month. Notably, the county shows the lowest risk score (3.9) among all eight counties, indicating exceptional stability.
4 / 5
Income levels lag region
Income scores just 19.7 with median household income of $55,663, below what many competing counties offer. Health outcomes at 64.6 suggest room for improvement in healthcare access and outcomes.
5 / 5
Stable choice for budget-aware families
Doña Ana County suits families prioritizing stability, low taxes, and reasonable housing costs who can manage on modest incomes around $55,000-$60,000 annually. The county's low risk profile appeals to those seeking secure, predictable long-term living conditions.
Doña Ana County scores 65.3 out of 100, clearly above the national median of 50.0 and in the upper half of U.S. counties. The county's balanced profile across tax, cost, and income dimensions supports this solid national position.
Below state average, mid-range performer
At 65.3, Doña Ana falls below New Mexico's state average of 69.8, placing it in the lower-middle tier of New Mexico counties. The county's profile shows strengths offset by income limitations.
Balanced strengths in taxes and costs
Doña Ana scores well on tax burden (83.0) with an effective rate of 0.683% and cost affordability (79.3) with median home value of $205,400 and rent at $903/month. Notably, the county shows the lowest risk score (3.9) among all eight counties, indicating exceptional stability.
Income levels lag region
Income scores just 19.7 with median household income of $55,663, below what many competing counties offer. Health outcomes at 64.6 suggest room for improvement in healthcare access and outcomes.
Stable choice for budget-aware families
Doña Ana County suits families prioritizing stability, low taxes, and reasonable housing costs who can manage on modest incomes around $55,000-$60,000 annually. The county's low risk profile appeals to those seeking secure, predictable long-term living conditions.
Score breakdown
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Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Doña Ana County's effective tax rate of 0.683% runs above the national median of 0.595%, placing it above average nationally. The median property tax of $1,404 is slightly below the national median of $2,690, reflecting Doña Ana's lower median home value of $205,400.
Doña Ana ranks in the upper-middle of state rates
Doña Ana County's 0.683% effective rate is 14.8% above the New Mexico average of 0.595%, positioning it among the state's higher-tax counties. The median tax of $1,404 exceeds the state average of $1,043, reflecting above-average tax burden within New Mexico.
Doña Ana taxes higher than most border region counties
Doña Ana's 0.683% rate exceeds many surrounding southern New Mexico counties, reflecting Las Cruces' urban infrastructure needs and higher tax base. Its median home value of $205,400 is among the region's highest, contributing to elevated absolute tax bills.
A $205,400 home costs $1,404 annually
The typical Doña Ana County homeowner with a median-valued property of $205,400 pays approximately $1,404 in annual property taxes. Owners with mortgages pay more due to escrow, averaging around $1,583 per year.
Challenge assessments in this higher-tax county
Given Doña Ana County's above-average tax rates, homeowners should strongly consider appealing their property assessments to reduce tax liability. Many assessments exceed fair market values, and successful appeals could yield significant annual savings.
Doña Ana mirrors national housing affordability closely
Doña Ana County renters spend 19.5% of income on rent, nearly identical to the national benchmark of roughly 19%, despite median household income of $55,663 running 26% below the national average of $74,755. This southern county offers balanced affordability for lower-wage households.
Doña Ana ranks slightly above state average burden
Doña Ana's rent-to-income ratio of 19.5% slightly exceeds New Mexico's state average of 19.4%, with median rent at $903—3% above the state mean of $876. This Las Cruces-anchored county sits in the middle range of New Mexico's affordability spectrum.
Doña Ana balances cost and metro-adjacent services
Doña Ana's $903 median rent falls between rural counties like Chaves ($838) and Bernalillo's $1,087, positioning this southern region as a middle-ground option for those seeking El Paso area access. Median home value of $205,400 reflects stronger housing demand than interior rural counties.
Homeownership carries modest premium in Doña Ana
Doña Ana renters pay $903 monthly while homeowners spend $842—a 7% ownership discount unusual in New Mexico, suggesting a relatively balanced ownership-rental market. At $55,663 median income, housing consumes roughly 19-20% of household budgets for both tenures.
Doña Ana suits those balancing access and affordability
Doña Ana County offers stable, near-national-average affordability metrics paired with proximity to El Paso job markets and services, appealing to those seeking balance. Consider Doña Ana if you want lower costs than major metros without sacrificing entirely for rural isolation.
Doña Ana County's median household income of $55,663 falls 26% below the U.S. median of $74,755, placing it in the bottom 35% of American counties. The income gap reflects the county's mix of lower-wage service and agricultural employment alongside some professional jobs.
Barely below state average, mid-tier rank
Doña Ana County's median household income of $55,663 sits just 0.3% below New Mexico's state average of $55,469, essentially at parity. Among the eight counties examined, Doña Ana ranks third, trailing only Bernalillo and Curry counties.
Income mirrors neighboring rural counties
Doña Ana County's $55,663 income closely matches Curry County ($56,259) and sits slightly above Chaves County ($52,029). The similarity reflects shared labor market characteristics across south-central and southern New Mexico.
Housing costs manageable, home values moderate
At 19.5%, Doña Ana's rent-to-income ratio is just below the 30% affordability threshold, meaning housing consumes roughly one-fifth of median income. The median home value of $205,400 is notably higher than most peer counties, reflecting Doña Ana's larger population and economic activity.
Doña Ana households can build solid wealth
With income at state average and manageable housing costs, Doña Ana County residents have opportunity to save meaningfully for retirement and investments. Direct 5-10% of household income to retirement accounts and consider homeownership as a long-term wealth-building strategy.
Doña Ana County residents live to an average of 76.0 years, exceeding the U.S. average of 73.5 years by 2.5 years. With 21.2% reporting poor or fair health—slightly above the national average of 19.2%—the county shows strong longevity despite some underlying health challenges.
Leading life expectancy in New Mexico
Doña Ana's 76.0-year life expectancy ranks among the state's best, outpacing New Mexico's 73.7-year average by 2.3 years. The county's 12.1% uninsured rate exceeds the state average of 10.2%, suggesting pockets of vulnerable populations despite overall strong outcomes.
Moderate access to primary and mental health
With 62 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Doña Ana matches Chaves County and exceeds more rural peers like Cibola or Curry. The county's 374 mental health providers per 100,000 provides solid behavioral health services comparable to mid-range counties.
Strong outcomes, persistent insurance gaps
Doña Ana's high life expectancy reflects good health infrastructure, yet 12.1% of residents remain uninsured—notably higher than some wealthier counties. The gap suggests wealth disparities within the county, where lower-income residents struggle with insurance access.
Affordable coverage available for all
If you're uninsured in Doña Ana, explore subsidized plans through New Mexico's marketplace—many residents qualify for free or low-cost coverage. Getting insured ensures you can take advantage of the county's good healthcare infrastructure.
With a composite risk score of 96.09, Doña Ana County ranks as New Mexico's riskiest community and well above the national average for disaster exposure. The county's southern border location and Rio Grande valley geography create extreme vulnerability to multiple concurrent hazards.
Highest-risk county in New Mexico
Doña Ana County ranks first statewide for overall disaster risk, exceeding even Bernalillo County (94.40). The county's combination of seismic, flood, and wildfire threats creates a uniquely challenging risk landscape.
Riskier than any nearby county
Doña Ana's 96.09 score substantially exceeds Luna County (59.37) to the west and Sierra County to the north. The county stands apart regionally for its extreme composite risk profile.
Floods and earthquakes pose twin threats
Flood risk (98.38) reaches maximum severity in Doña Ana, driven by Rio Grande dynamics and monsoon exposure, while earthquake risk (91.22) reflects active fault lines throughout the county. Wildfire risk (86.58) and even modest hurricane risk (36.55) add secondary but real dangers.
Flood and earthquake insurance mandatory
Doña Ana residents must obtain both separate flood and earthquake insurance immediately—these threats are not covered by standard policies and losses often exceed expectations. Review and update coverage annually, as the county's extreme risk profile demands maximum protection.