countyscore
60.4
County Score
Cost of Living 95.8Disaster Risk 91.2Property Tax 86.3

County Report Card

About Guadalupe County, New Mexico

Strong National Standing

Guadalupe County earns a composite score of 60.1, which is over ten points higher than the national median of 50.0. This score reflects a high degree of affordability and environmental stability compared to the rest of the country.

Leading the State Average

With a 60.1 score, Guadalupe County outperforms the New Mexico state average of 49.1 by a healthy margin. It serves as a regional leader in cost-effective living within the state.

Superior Housing Value and Low Risk

The county boasts an exceptional Cost Score of 96.3 and a Risk Score of 91.2. Renters enjoy a median gross rent of only $515, while the low risk score suggests high resilience to natural disasters.

Very Low Income and Water Scores

Economic opportunity is limited, as seen in the Income Score of 2.9 and a median household income of $40,149. Water scarcity is also a critical issue, with a Water Score of 5.3 indicating significant resource pressure.

Perfect for Frugal Minimalism

This county is best suited for individuals who prioritize extremely low living costs and environmental safety over high wages. It is a compelling choice for those living on fixed incomes who want their dollars to stretch as far as possible.

2040608010086.395.847.63553.64.291.25.350.8Tax86.3Cost95.8Safety47.6Health35Schools53.6Income4.2Risk91.2Water5.3Weather50.860.4/100
This county
National avg
3 above average3 below average

Guadalupe County DNA

Doverall

How Guadalupe County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Guadalupe County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Cost of Living (95.8/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (5.3/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
86.3+34.3
Cost
95.8+47.8
Safety
47.6
Health
35-15
Schools
53.6
Income
4.2-46.8
Risk
91.2+44.2
Water
5.3-52.7
Weather
50.8
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Guadalupe County?

Many homeowners in Guadalupe County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$110,000

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$590/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$110,000/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$23,600/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.6x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $42,750/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

45.7

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Counties with similar scores

Harrison County
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Mercer County
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Converse County
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Sumter County
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Custer County
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Nearby counties

De Baca County
New Mexico
54.9
San Miguel County
New Mexico
44.2
Quay County
New Mexico
53.7
Torrance County
New Mexico
43.4
Curry County
New Mexico
31.4
Roosevelt County
New Mexico
42.2
Mora County
New Mexico
58.3
Harding County
New Mexico
65.1

Deep Dives

Guadalupe County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 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

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

Safety in Guadalupe County

via CrimeByCounty

Guadalupe County Remains Below National Averages

The county reports a total crime rate of 1178.3 per 100K, which is roughly half the national average of 2,385.5. This earns Guadalupe a strong safety score of 98.1 out of 100.

Outperforming the New Mexico Average

Guadalupe’s safety score of 98.1 ranks well above the state average of 97.4. Local law enforcement manages a total crime rate of 1178.3, notably lower than the state's average of 1638.5.

Mixed Comparisons with Nearby Counties

At 1178.3 incidents per 100K, Guadalupe experiences more crime than quiet neighbors like Lincoln County. However, it still maintains a significantly safer profile than more urbanized regions in the state.

Property Crime Drives Local Statistics

Violent crime is very low at 45.3 per 100K, far below the national average of 369.8. In contrast, property crime makes up nearly the entire local crime profile at 1133.0 per 100K.

Focus on Securing Your Property

Since property crime is the primary concern here, homeowners should prioritize securing sheds and vehicles. Installing visible cameras can effectively discourage theft in this mostly rural community.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Guadalupe County

via WeatherByCounty

Typical American Southwest conditions

Guadalupe County's 57.6°F average annual temperature aligns closely with the national median. This region experiences the wide temperature fluctuations and arid conditions typical of the American Southwest.

Warmer than the state average

The county is nearly 3 degrees warmer than the New Mexico state average of 54.8°F. It represents the warmer end of the state's mid-tier temperature range, balancing high-altitude cooling with southern warmth.

Wetter and snowier than the south

Guadalupe receives 15.1 inches of rain annually, making it wetter than nearby Eddy County at 12.8 inches. It also sees far more snow than its southern neighbors, averaging 17.9 inches per year.

Dusty summers and snowy winters

Summers feature 76 days of extreme heat over 90°F and a July average of 77.1°F. Winters are crisp, with a January average of 39.0°F and significant snowfall compared to the southern desert counties.

Prepare for heat and snow

Residents should prepare for both 76 days of high heat and a robust 17.9 inches of snow. Sturdy insulation is a priority here to maintain comfort during the 38-degree seasonal temperature shifts.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Guadalupe County

via SoilByCounty

Alkaline Plains Profile

With a pH of 7.54, the soil is more alkaline than the national median of 6.5. This level sits just above the New Mexico state average of 7.48, requiring plants that can tolerate basic conditions.

A Sandy Foundation

The soil consists of 51.4% sand and 16.9% clay, creating a coarse texture that facilitates rapid water movement. This high sand content helps prevent root rot but often requires more frequent irrigation.

Leading the State Average

Organic matter stands at 1.35%, which beats the state average of 1.27% but lags behind the national 2.0% benchmark. The available water capacity of 0.142 in/in provides a solid foundation for plant resilience.

Monitoring Surface Runoff

Classified in Hydrologic Group D, this soil poses challenges for drainage during heavy rains due to low-permeability layers. You must monitor for surface runoff during the intense monsoon season.

Summer Crops in Zone 7a

Gardeners in Hardiness Zone 7a can find success with drought-resistant natives and hardy vegetables like squash and beans. Start your garden by adding organic matter to improve moisture retention.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Guadalupe County

via LawnByCounty

Guadalupe County’s Fair Growing Odds

Guadalupe County earns a lawn difficulty score of 34.6, making it slightly easier to manage than the state average of 30.2. It sits in Hardiness Zone 7a, offering a slightly more temperate environment than the southern desert counties. However, it still falls 15 points short of the national lawn ease median.

Summer Heat and Thirsty Turf

The county experiences 76 days of extreme heat over 90°F, necessitating a robust irrigation schedule. Annual precipitation is 15.1 inches, which is slightly above the state average but still far below the ideal 30-50 inches. This gap means your mowing schedule will depend heavily on your ability to supplement water during the 4035 growing degree days.

Sandy Soils and High pH

Soil here is quite sandy at 51.4%, which promotes fast drainage but struggles to hold onto nutrients. The average pH of 7.54 is alkaline, sitting above the ideal 6.0-7.0 range for most turfgrasses. You will likely need to add organic matter to help the 16.9% clay content bind with the sand for better moisture retention.

Manageable Drought Conditions

Guadalupe County has seen 28 weeks of drought over the last year, which is significantly better than much of New Mexico. Currently, 93.6% of the area is abnormally dry, but severe drought levels remain at 0.0%. Maintaining a higher mowing height can help shade the soil and reduce water loss during these dry periods.

Seeding for Guadalupe’s Success

With an average last frost of April 21st, late spring is the perfect window to establish drought-hardy grasses. Consider Buffalo grass or hybrid Bermuda, which can handle the 7.54 pH and sandy texture. Start early to ensure your lawn is established before the first frost arrives around October 21st.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Guadalupe County's county score?
Guadalupe County, New Mexico has a composite county score of 60.4 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Guadalupe County rank among counties in New Mexico?
Guadalupe County ranks #7 among all counties in New Mexico on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Guadalupe County, New Mexico?
The median annual property tax in Guadalupe County is $526, with an effective tax rate of 0.48%. This earns Guadalupe County a tax score of 86.3/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Guadalupe County?
The median household income in Guadalupe County, New Mexico is $42,750 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Guadalupe County earns an income score of 4.2/100 on CountyScore.
Is Guadalupe County, New Mexico a good place to live?
Guadalupe County scores 60.4/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #7 in New Mexico. The best way to evaluate Guadalupe County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Guadalupe County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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