CountyScore

Guadalupe County

New Mexico · NM

#4 in New Mexico
76.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Guadalupe County, New Mexico

Guadalupe leads New Mexico on livability

Guadalupe County's composite score of 76.5 far exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 76th percentile nationally. The county ranks among the nation's most livable communities by the composite measure.

Clear winner in statewide rankings

With a score of 76.5, Guadalupe County ranks well above New Mexico's state average of 69.8, making it one of the state's most livable counties. The county stands out as a clear leader in overall livability.

Unmatched cost efficiency and stability

Guadalupe County boasts the highest cost score (91.7) among these New Mexico counties, with extraordinarily affordable housing: median rent at $515/month and median home value at $107,200. Its risk score of 91.2 signals strong environmental and economic resilience.

Income opportunities remain limited

The county's income score of 9.6 reflects a median household income of just $40,149, the lowest among these counties. Job seekers and income-focused families will find limited local wage growth potential.

Perfect for cost-conscious rural seekers

Guadalupe County is ideal for retirees, remote workers, and families prioritizing minimal living costs and rural stability above all else. The exceptional affordability and environmental resilience make it unmatched for those with secure, non-local income.

Score breakdown

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

Tax87.5Cost91.7SafetyComing SoonHealth62.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome9.6Risk91.2WaterComing Soon
🏛87.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠91.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼9.6
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
⚡91.2
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 Guadalupe County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Clay County
Alabama
76.5
Median income: $51,852
Martin County
Indiana
76.5
Median income: $65,345
Traverse County
Minnesota
76.5
Median income: $65,931
Worth County
Missouri
76.5
Median income: $46,167
Granite County
Montana
76.5
Median income: $54,646

Deep Dives

Guadalupe County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Guadalupe County

via TaxByCounty

Guadalupe County taxes are remarkably low

Guadalupe County's effective tax rate of 0.525% ranks in the bottom 20% nationally, with a median property tax of just $563. This is less than 21% of the national median tax burden of $2,690.

Below-average New Mexico rate

Guadalupe County's 0.525% rate falls short of New Mexico's 0.595% state average. The county's median property tax of $563 reflects both its lower tax rate and modest median home values typical of rural eastern New Mexico.

Moderate tax burden for the region

Guadalupe County's 0.525% rate sits between Grant County's 0.460% (the state's lowest) and Eddy County's 0.499%. All three central-eastern counties offer significantly lower tax burdens than the statewide average.

Guadalupe homeowner pays around $563 yearly

A typical Guadalupe County home valued at $107,200 generates an annual property tax of $563. Without mortgage escrow requirements, homeowners pay $370 directly, reflecting the county's modest valuations and low effective rate.

Appeal if your assessment feels high

Overassessed properties exist even in low-value counties. If your assessed value exceeds recent comparable sales in Guadalupe County, filing an appeal with the assessor's office is free and could reduce your tax liability for years to come.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Guadalupe County

via CostByCounty

Guadalupe punches above its weight

Guadalupe County residents enjoy a remarkably low rent-to-income ratio of just 15.4%, among the best in the state and well below the national average. Despite a median household income of $40,149—46% below the national median—the county's tiny rents ($515/month) create surprising affordability for those who live here.

New Mexico's most affordable housing market

Guadalupe County boasts the lowest rent-to-income ratio among New Mexico's counties at 15.4%, a full 4 percentage points better than the state average of 19.4%. This ranking places it at the top of the state's affordability ladder despite having among the lowest median incomes.

Uniquely affordable for lowest incomes

Guadalupe's $515 monthly rent dramatically undercuts Grant County ($810), Harding County ($700), and Hidalgo County ($803)—and the median home value of just $107,200 reflects an ultra-rural, economically isolated market. For low-income households, Guadalupe offers unmatched affordability.

Tiny costs, tiny incomes, balanced ratio

Renters pay just $515 monthly while owners pay $511, with median home values around $107,200—reflecting a deeply rural economy. At $40,149 household income, housing consumes only 15.4% of gross income, the county's greatest affordability advantage.

Guadalupe: extreme affordability, extreme isolation

If rock-bottom housing costs are your priority, Guadalupe County delivers. However, the tiny rents reflect a very small, rural job market; relocate here for lifestyle and community, not career advancement or urban amenities.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Guadalupe County

via IncomeByCounty

Guadalupe faces steep national gap

Guadalupe County's median household income of $40,149 falls roughly $34,600 short of the U.S. median of $74,755, ranking among the lowest-income counties in America. Economic opportunities remain limited, affecting household earnings across the county.

Among New Mexico's lowest earners

Guadalupe County's median household income of $40,149 ranks among the poorest in New Mexico, trailing the state average of $55,469 by $15,320. The county faces structural economic challenges that depress household earnings relative to state peers.

Struggling alongside similar rural areas

Guadalupe County households earn $40,149, placing it near Harding County ($41,250) but well below Lincoln County ($51,643) and Grant County ($45,921). The northeastern plains region struggles with limited employment diversity and lower wage opportunities.

Low-cost housing eases burden

Guadalupe County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.4% ranks as one of the lowest in the state, reflecting affordable housing stock at median values of $107,200. Though incomes are low, the low cost of living provides some relief for household budgets.

Leverage affordability, seek growth

Guadalupe County's low cost of living is a financial advantage; residents should maximize this by building savings even from modest incomes. Explore local training programs, remote work opportunities, and side income sources to boost earnings while taking advantage of affordable housing and living costs.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Guadalupe County

via HealthByCounty

Guadalupe County meets national life expectancy

Guadalupe County's life expectancy of 73.9 years approaches the U.S. average of 76.4 years, but one in four residents (25.4%) report poor or fair health—well above national norms. This gap suggests that many residents face chronic conditions despite reasonable longevity.

Slightly above state average, persistent health concerns

At 73.9 years, Guadalupe County's life expectancy exceeds New Mexico's 73.7-year state average, and its uninsured rate of 8.6% ranks among the lowest in the state. Yet the 25.4% poor/fair health rate is the highest in this county cluster, signaling concentrated chronic disease.

Highest health burden despite good insurance access

Guadalupe County's 25.4% poor/fair health rate substantially exceeds neighboring Grant (21.5%), Eddy (21.9%), and Lincoln (18.7%) counties. Though primary care providers number 45 per 100,000—mid-range for the region—the county's exceptional 1,701 mental health providers per 100,000 suggests targeted need for behavioral health.

Mental health crisis response outpaces primary care

Guadalupe County's 1,701 mental health providers per 100,000 residents is an extraordinary concentration, likely reflecting investment in substance abuse or behavioral health crises. With moderate primary care access at 45 providers per 100,000, residents may struggle to manage diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease before they worsen.

Get insured and access comprehensive mental health care

Guadalupe County's strong mental health infrastructure is only valuable if you have insurance to access it—8.6% of residents still lack coverage. Visit healthcare.gov to find a plan that covers both primary care and the mental health services your community has invested in.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Guadalupe County

via RiskByCounty

Guadalupe County faces minimal disaster risk

With a composite risk score of just 8.81, Guadalupe County ranks very low and falls far below New Mexico's state average of 58.92. This low risk profile makes Guadalupe one of the safest counties in the state for natural hazard exposure.

Among the lowest-risk counties statewide

Guadalupe County ranks among New Mexico's safest areas for natural disasters, with a score that places it well below most state counties. Only a handful of counties share Guadalupe's very low composite risk designation.

Significantly safer than eastern neighbors

Guadalupe County's risk score of 8.81 is a fraction of neighboring Eddy (83.65) and Lea (86.01) counties to the east. This stark difference reflects Guadalupe's geographic separation from the flood and wildfire corridors that threaten southeastern New Mexico.

Wildfire the only notable exposure

Wildfire is Guadalupe's most significant hazard with a risk score of 81.49, though the county's overall hazard exposure remains manageable. Flood risk (29.87) and earthquake risk (16.63) are low, and tornado and hurricane risks are minimal.

Standard coverage meets most needs

A standard homeowners insurance policy with wildfire coverage should adequately protect Guadalupe County residents from typical hazards. Consider a supplemental wildfire endorsement if your home is near vegetation, but flood insurance is generally unnecessary unless you live near mapped waterways.

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.