Hidalgo County's composite score of 75.5 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 75th percentile nationally. The county ranks solidly in the upper quartile of U.S. counties by livability.
2 / 5
Clear standout in New Mexico
At 75.5, Hidalgo County substantially outperforms New Mexico's state average of 69.8, ranking among the state's top livable communities. The county represents one of the best overall livability options in the state.
3 / 5
Low taxes and strong affordability
Hidalgo excels with a tax score of 89.3 and effective tax rate of 0.461%, paired with a cost score of 85.8 and median housing costs of $803/month rent and $114,000 home value. A risk score of 91.1 reflects strong environmental and economic resilience.
4 / 5
Modest income levels limit wage earners
The county's income score of 15.4 and median household income of $49,076 are among the lowest in this group, reflecting limited local employment at higher wage levels. Job seekers requiring substantial local income will find opportunities constrained.
5 / 5
Great fit for resilience-seeking families
Hidalgo County appeals to families and retirees valuing environmental stability, low taxes, and affordable living over high local wages. It's an excellent choice for those with remote work or fixed income seeking a stable, cost-effective rural community.
Hidalgo County's composite score of 75.5 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 75th percentile nationally. The county ranks solidly in the upper quartile of U.S. counties by livability.
Clear standout in New Mexico
At 75.5, Hidalgo County substantially outperforms New Mexico's state average of 69.8, ranking among the state's top livable communities. The county represents one of the best overall livability options in the state.
Low taxes and strong affordability
Hidalgo excels with a tax score of 89.3 and effective tax rate of 0.461%, paired with a cost score of 85.8 and median housing costs of $803/month rent and $114,000 home value. A risk score of 91.1 reflects strong environmental and economic resilience.
Modest income levels limit wage earners
The county's income score of 15.4 and median household income of $49,076 are among the lowest in this group, reflecting limited local employment at higher wage levels. Job seekers requiring substantial local income will find opportunities constrained.
Great fit for resilience-seeking families
Hidalgo County appeals to families and retirees valuing environmental stability, low taxes, and affordable living over high local wages. It's an excellent choice for those with remote work or fixed income seeking a stable, cost-effective rural community.
Score breakdown
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🏛89.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Hidalgo County's effective tax rate of 0.461% places it in the bottom 20% of U.S. counties by tax burden. The median property tax of $526 is less than 20% of the national median of $2,690.
Third-lowest rate in New Mexico
Hidalgo County's 0.461% effective rate ranks third-lowest statewide, trailing only Harding (0.379%) and Grant (0.460%). The median property tax of $526 undercuts the state average of $1,043 by more than half.
Competitive with Grant and Eddy counties
Hidalgo County's 0.461% rate virtually matches Grant County's 0.460% and falls below Eddy County's 0.499%. Southwestern New Mexico consistently offers some of the nation's lowest property tax burdens.
Hidalgo homeowner pays $526 annually
With a median home value of $114,000 and a 0.461% effective rate, the typical Hidalgo County homeowner pays $526 per year in property tax. Those with mortgages pay $554, while owners without mortgages pay $512.
Verify your assessment to stay ahead
Even in a low-tax county, assessment errors can compound over time. Hidalgo County homeowners should cross-check their assessed value against recent home sales in their area and consider appealing if the figures don't align.
Hidalgo County renters spend 19.6% of household income on rent, essentially matching New Mexico's state average of 19.4% while earning $49,076—34% below the national median. The near-average burden ratio masks the real squeeze: residents earn significantly less than Americans elsewhere.
Hidalgo sits right at state average
With a rent-to-income ratio of 19.6%, Hidalgo County essentially matches New Mexico's 19.4% state average, placing it squarely in the middle of the state's affordability distribution. Neither exceptional nor severely burdened, Hidalgo represents the state's median housing pressure.
Balanced between extremes
Hidalgo's $803 monthly rent and $49,076 income position it between wealthier Eddy County ($79,605 income) and poorer Guadalupe County ($40,149 income). The county offers a moderate mix of housing costs and local earning power—neither deal nor burden.
Moderate costs, moderate incomes
Renters pay $803 monthly while owners pay $537, with median home values around $114,000. At $49,076 median household income, housing consumes 19.6% of gross income, leaving residents roughly 80% of earnings for all other needs.
Hidalgo: the state's balanced option
If you're comparing New Mexico counties and want the mainstream experience—neither rock-bottom costs nor premium prices—Hidalgo delivers. It's a solid choice for families seeking affordable living without extreme rural isolation or boom-town energy.
Hidalgo County's median household income of $49,076 lags the U.S. median of $74,755 by approximately $25,700, placing it well below national norms. Limited job diversity and lower average wages characterize the county's labor market.
Below New Mexico average
Hidalgo County's median household income of $49,076 trails the New Mexico state average of $55,469 by about $6,400. The county ranks in the lower-middle tier of New Mexico counties by household earning power.
Mid-range earner in the southwest
Hidalgo County households earn $49,076, ahead of Grant County ($45,921) and Guadalupe County ($40,149) but behind Lea County ($68,750). The southwestern counties cluster around modest income levels with limited high-wage sectors.
Rent burden within reasonable bounds
Hidalgo County's rent-to-income ratio of 19.6% and median home value of $114,000 indicate housing consumes a meaningful but manageable portion of household income. Residents have modest affordability relative to earnings.
Build wealth through discipline
At $49,076 median income, Hidalgo County households must practice disciplined spending and intentional saving to build wealth. Prioritize paying down high-interest debt, maximize any employer benefits like health savings accounts, and seek opportunities to boost household income through additional work or skill development.
At 75.0 years, Hidalgo County's life expectancy tops the U.S. average of 76.4 years, placing it among New Mexico's healthier counties. However, nearly one in four residents (23.8%) report poor or fair health, indicating that longer lives don't guarantee better health quality.
Hidalgo County's life expectancy of 75.0 years exceeds New Mexico's 73.7-year state average, yet its uninsured rate of 10.8% ranks among the state's highest. This paradox suggests that some residents are achieving good health outcomes despite financial barriers to care.
Strongest life expectancy in southeastern cluster
Hidalgo County's 75.0-year life expectancy surpasses Eddy (72.7), Lea (72.6), Grant (74.3), and nearly matches Lincoln (75.8) and Guadalupe (73.9) counties. Yet its primary care capacity of just 25 per 100,000 is the lowest in the region, suggesting geographic or workforce constraints.
Thin primary care network strains daily access
With only 25 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Hidalgo County residents face significant travel and wait times for basic medical services. Mental health support is available at 177 providers per 100,000, but the primary care shortage limits access to preventive care and chronic disease management.
Insurance opens doors to scarce providers
Nearly one in eleven Hidalgo County residents (10.8%) lack health insurance, compounding the challenge of reaching a distant primary care provider. Check healthcare.gov to find coverage that reduces out-of-pocket costs for the care you do access.
With a composite risk score of 8.94, Hidalgo County is rated very low and sits far beneath New Mexico's state average of 58.92. The county's minimal disaster exposure makes it one of the safer areas in the state for natural hazard concerns.
Among New Mexico's safest counties
Hidalgo County ranks among the lowest-risk areas statewide, with a score placing it well below most New Mexico counties for disaster vulnerability. Only a handful of counties match Hidalgo's protected status from major hazards.
Much safer than eastern neighbors
Hidalgo County's 8.94 score dwarfs those of neighboring Eddy (83.65) and Lea (86.01) counties to the east. This dramatic difference reflects Hidalgo's geographic distance from southeastern New Mexico's flood and fire corridors.
Wildfire poses manageable threat
Wildfire is Hidalgo's primary concern with a risk score of 83.02, reflecting the county's southwestern location and vegetation exposure. Earthquake risk (33.11) is moderate, while flood (14.92), tornado (2.42), and hurricane (7.13) risks remain quite low.
Focus on wildfire preparedness
Purchase homeowners insurance with wildfire coverage and maintain defensible space around your property by clearing brush and trimming trees. Flood and earthquake insurance are optional unless you live near mapped waterways or unstable terrain, given Hidalgo's overall safety profile.