CountyScore

Eddy County

New Mexico · NM

#24 in New Mexico
67.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Eddy County, New Mexico

Eddy outpaces the national median

With a composite score of 67.2, Eddy County scores well above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 68th percentile nationally. This positions the county in the upper third of all U.S. counties measured by livability metrics.

Slightly below New Mexico average

Eddy's 67.2 score sits just below New Mexico's state average of 69.8, ranking it mid-tier among the state's counties. The county remains a competitive choice within the state despite this modest gap.

Taxes and affordability lead the way

Eddy County excels in tax efficiency with a score of 88.2 and an effective tax rate of just 0.499%. Housing affordability is also strong, with a median home value of $199,400 and median rent of $1,183/month, supported by a cost score of 75.6.

Income growth and risk require attention

The county's income score of 35.3 reflects a median household income of $79,605, which lags behind wealthier counties in the state. Additionally, the risk score of 16.4 suggests some vulnerability in environmental or economic stability that warrants monitoring.

A solid choice for budget-conscious professionals

Eddy County suits families and professionals seeking moderate income levels with low taxes and reasonable housing costs. It's an appealing option for those who value fiscal stability and affordability over proximity to high-wage job centers.

Score breakdown

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

Tax88.2Cost75.6SafetyComing SoonHealth62.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome35.3Risk16.4WaterComing Soon
🏛88.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠75.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼35.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤62.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡16.4
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 Eddy County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

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Southeast Fairbanks Census Area
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Garland County
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Berrien County
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Median income: $50,414

Deep Dives

Eddy County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Eddy County

via TaxByCounty

Eddy County taxes rank well nationally

Eddy County's effective tax rate of 0.499% sits well below the national median of $2,690 on a typical home. At this rate, Eddy homeowners pay roughly one-third the property tax burden of the average American county, placing the county in the bottom 25% of tax burden nationally.

Below average for New Mexico

Eddy County's 0.499% effective rate undershoots New Mexico's state average of 0.595% by a meaningful margin. Among all New Mexico counties, Eddy ranks in the lower-tax tier, with a median property tax of $995 compared to the statewide median of $1,043.

The most tax-friendly in southeast region

Compared to neighboring Lea County (0.468%) and Guadalupe County (0.525%), Eddy County's 0.499% rate is moderate for the region. All three counties undercut the state average, making southeastern New Mexico a relatively affordable area for property owners.

Eddy homeowner pays under $1,000 yearly

With a median home value of $199,400 and an effective rate of 0.499%, a typical Eddy County homeowner pays $995 annually in property tax. Homeowners with mortgages pay slightly more at $1,327 due to escrow requirements, while those without mortgages pay $721.

Check if your assessment is accurate

Many Eddy County homeowners may be paying taxes on inflated property valuations. If your home's assessed value seems high relative to recent sales in your area, you have the right to file an appeal with the county assessor—a simple process that could lower your annual tax bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Eddy County

via CostByCounty

Eddy outpaces national affordability

Eddy County renters spend 17.8% of household income on rent, well below the national sweet spot and significantly better than the state average of 19.4%. With a median household income of $79,605—6% above the national median of $74,755—residents here enjoy stronger purchasing power than most Americans.

Among New Mexico's most affordable

Eddy County ranks as one of the state's most housing-friendly markets, with a rent-to-income ratio that beats the state average of 19.4%. Median rent of $1,183 is higher than the state's $876, but incomes here are substantially stronger, making housing genuinely more accessible.

More expensive, but higher-earning

Eddy's $1,183 median rent exceeds nearby Lea County ($1,119) and Lincoln County ($883), but Eddy households also earn more—$79,605 compared to Lea's $68,750 and Lincoln's $51,643. This income advantage makes Eddy's higher rents proportionally less burdensome for residents.

Renters and owners both comfortable

Renters in Eddy spend roughly $1,183 monthly while owners pay $739, with median home values around $199,400. At a median household income of $79,605, housing costs consume only 17.8% of gross income—leaving most families breathing room in their budgets.

Relocating? Eddy offers balance

If you're comparing moves across New Mexico, Eddy County delivers solid income levels paired with manageable housing costs—neither the cheapest rent nor the highest prices. Consider it the state's pragmatic middle ground for families seeking stability without sacrificing local earning potential.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Eddy County

via IncomeByCounty

Eddy outpaces nation on income

Eddy County's median household income of $79,605 exceeds the U.S. median of $74,755 by about $4,850, placing it well above the national average. This stronger-than-average earning power reflects robust economic activity in the county, driven largely by energy sector employment.

Top earner in New Mexico

At $79,605, Eddy County ranks among the highest income counties in New Mexico, significantly ahead of the state average of $55,469. The county's median household income runs 43% higher than its state peers, signaling concentrated economic strength.

Clear income edge over nearby counties

Eddy County households earn $79,605, compared to $68,750 in neighboring Lea County and $51,643 in Lincoln County. Only Los Alamos County ($143,188) outpaces Eddy in the region, but Eddy remains the second-strongest earner among surrounding counties.

Housing costs stay manageable here

Eddy County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.8% sits below the national warning threshold of 30%, indicating housing remains affordable relative to earnings. With a median home value of $199,400 and strong median income, residents have healthy purchasing power for homeownership.

Build on Eddy's income strength

With median household income exceeding national and state averages, Eddy County residents have a solid foundation for savings and investment. Consider working with a financial advisor to develop a strategy that locks in retirement savings, builds home equity, and diversifies assets beyond the local energy economy.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Eddy County

via HealthByCounty

Eddy County lags behind national health benchmarks

At 72.7 years, Eddy County's life expectancy trails the U.S. average of 76.4 years by nearly four years. One in five residents (21.9%) report poor or fair health, slightly above national averages, signaling persistent challenges in chronic disease management and preventive care.

Below-average life expectancy for New Mexico

Eddy County ranks near the bottom of New Mexico counties with a life expectancy 1 year below the state average of 73.7 years. The county's uninsured rate of 10.7% exceeds New Mexico's 10.2% average, leaving more residents vulnerable to medical debt.

Health gaps versus nearby southeastern counties

Eddy County's life expectancy (72.7 years) falls short of neighboring Lea County (72.6 years is similar), Grant County (74.3 years), and significantly lags Lincoln County (75.8 years). Primary care access is particularly thin at just 30 providers per 100,000 residents—half the rate in Grant County.

Primary care deserts shape daily health access

With only 30 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Eddy County residents face long wait times and travel distances for basic medical care. Mental health support is more available at 151 providers per 100,000, but the primary care shortage means many health issues never reach a specialist.

Check your health coverage options today

One in ten Eddy County residents lack health insurance, making preventive care and early treatment less likely. Visit healthcare.gov or New Mexico's health marketplace to explore coverage options that fit your budget and health needs.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Eddy County

via RiskByCounty

Eddy County faces above-average disaster risk

With a composite risk score of 83.65, Eddy County ranks in the relatively moderate category—well above New Mexico's state average of 58.92. This elevated risk reflects significant exposure to water and fire hazards that threaten homes and infrastructure across the county.

Second-highest risk in New Mexico

Eddy County is among the state's riskiest counties, ranking second only to Lea County in overall disaster vulnerability. This high ranking reflects the county's pronounced exposure to floods and wildfires that regularly impact southeastern New Mexico.

Riskier than all adjacent counties

Eddy County's risk score of 83.65 substantially exceeds neighboring Lea County's 86.01 and Lincoln County's 79.48. Among regional peers, Eddy faces outsized hazard exposure, particularly from water and wildfire events.

Flooding and wildfire dominate hazards

Flood risk scores 90.68 and wildfire risk reaches 88.52 in Eddy County—both critical threats requiring serious preparation. Tornado risk is lower at 27.32, and earthquake and hurricane risks remain minimal, making flood and fire insurance your top priorities.

Secure flood and fire coverage now

Standard homeowners insurance rarely covers flooding; purchase a separate flood policy through the National Flood Insurance Program or private providers. Consider wildfire mitigation insurance or endorsements, especially if your home sits near vegetation, and keep gutters clear and landscaping trimmed to reduce fire exposure.

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.