countyscore
36.5
County Score
Property Tax 86.3Income & Jobs 57.4Cost of Living 49.6

County Report Card

About Lea County, New Mexico

Below National Averages

Lea County’s composite score of 36.1 is significantly lower than the national median of 50.0. This indicates that while the county has specific economic strengths, it lags behind the rest of the country in holistic livability.

Challenged Within the State

The county’s 36.1 score is roughly 13 points lower than the New Mexico average of 49.1. It ranks among the lower-scoring counties in the state due to persistent issues in safety and public infrastructure.

Favorable Taxes and Incomes

Economic pillars are strong, with a Tax Score of 89.1 and an Income Score of 63.7. The median household income of $68,750 is relatively high for the region, and taxes remain very low at 0.468%.

Struggles in Safety and Environment

The county faces a very low Safety Score of 2.9 and a Risk Score of 14.0. Health services also lag with a score of 21.2, indicating a need for improvement in community well-being.

Built for the Economic Adventurer

Lea County is best suited for workers in the energy sector who are focused on maximizing earnings and minimizing taxes. It requires a resident who is comfortable navigating a landscape with higher safety risks in exchange for economic gain.

2040608010086.349.62.921.228.457.4142348.9Tax86.3Cost49.6Safety2.9Health21.2Schools28.4Income57.4Risk14Water23Weather48.936.5/100
This county
National avg
1 above average5 below average

Lea County DNA

Foverall

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

Lea County falls below the national average in most categories. The biggest gap is in Safety (2.9/100), though Property Tax (86.3/100) remains a relative bright spot.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
86.3+34.3
Cost
49.6
Safety
2.9-52.1
Health
21.2-28.8
Schools
28.4-25.6
Income
57.4
Risk
14-33
Water
23-35
Weather
48.9
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Compare mortgage rates in Lea County

Whether buying or refinancing in Lea County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$184,000

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,101/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$184,000/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$44,040/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.7x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $68,015/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

17.8

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
Compare Lea County with Rock Island County →Share on X

Counties with similar scores

Rock Island County
Illinois
Median income: $67,159
36.5
Elkhart County
Indiana
Median income: $68,561
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Wexford County
Michigan
Median income: $61,085
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Duplin County
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Median income: $55,148
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Sequoyah County
Oklahoma
Median income: $51,093
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Clackamas County
Oregon
Median income: $103,517
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La Paz County
Arizona
Median income: $49,478
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Tehama County
California
Median income: $63,784
36.4

Nearby counties

Gaines County
Texas
47.9
Yoakum County
Texas
48.7
Andrews County
Texas
32.7
Eddy County
New Mexico
34.7
Cochran County
Texas
46.3
Winkler County
Texas
52.8
Terry County
Texas
31.7
Loving County
Texas
40.1

Deep Dives

Lea County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Lea County

via TaxByCounty

Lea County taxes run far below the nation

Lea County's effective tax rate of 0.468% ranks in the bottom 25% of U.S. counties by tax burden. The median property tax of $824 represents less than 31% of the national median of $2,690.

Below-average rate for New Mexico

Lea County's 0.468% effective rate falls below New Mexico's state average of 0.595%. With a median property tax of $824, Lea homeowners pay roughly $220 less annually than the statewide median of $1,043.

Mid-range among southeast New Mexico

Lea County's 0.468% rate sits between Grant County's 0.460% (lowest) and Eddy County's 0.499% in the southeast region. All three counties cluster in the state's lower-tax tier.

Lea homeowner pays $824 yearly

With a median home value of $176,000 and a 0.468% effective rate, the typical Lea County homeowner pays $824 annually in property tax. Homeowners with mortgages pay $1,439 (including escrow), while those without mortgages pay $555.

Check your assessment against comparable homes

Even in Lea County's affordable tax environment, some homeowners may be overassessed. Review your property's assessed value against recent sales of similar homes nearby—if yours seems high, filing an appeal could lower your bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Lea County

via IncomeByCounty

Lea matches national income standard

Lea County's median household income of $68,750 approaches the U.S. median of $74,755, falling only about $6,000 short of the national benchmark. The county's energy sector provides stable, above-average employment opportunities.

Top-tier earner in New Mexico

Lea County's median household income of $68,750 significantly exceeds New Mexico's state average of $55,469 by roughly $13,300. The county ranks among the top earners statewide, second only to Los Alamos County.

Outpaces surrounding counties clearly

Lea County households earn $68,750, well ahead of nearby Eddy County ($79,605), Lincoln County ($51,643), and Grant County ($45,921). Lea's oil and gas economy delivers stronger household earnings than most neighboring counties.

Housing costs stay very manageable

Lea County's rent-to-income ratio of 19.5% sits comfortably below affordability thresholds, with median home values at $176,000. Households earning $68,750 enjoy solid purchasing power for both rental and homeownership.

Invest in long-term financial goals

Lea County's above-average income of $68,750 provides a strong platform for wealth building beyond homeownership. Consider maximizing retirement contributions, diversifying into stocks or other investments, and developing a multi-decade strategy to protect against energy sector volatility.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Lea County

via CrimeByCounty

Lea County Faces Higher Crime Challenges

The total crime rate of 4140.8 per 100K is significantly higher than the national average of 2,385.5. This results in a safety score of 93.5, indicating a need for higher awareness.

Below the New Mexico Safety Average

Lea’s safety score of 93.5 falls below the state average of 97.4. The local total crime rate of 4140.8 is more than double the New Mexico average of 1638.5.

High Activity Compared to Rural Neighbors

Lea County sees much more criminal activity than neighbors like Guadalupe, which reports a rate of 1178.3. This disparity highlights the more intense public safety demands in the Lea County area.

Significant Property and Violent Crime

Property crime is exceptionally high at 3503.3 per 100K, while violent crime sits at 637.5. Both categories are well above national averages, meaning residents face frequent security concerns.

Robust Security Systems Recommended

With property crime rates this high, an active security system with 24/7 monitoring is a smart investment. Always secure your valuables and keep exterior entrances well-lit at night.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Lea County

via WeatherByCounty

Warmth on the Llano Estacado

Lea County averages 61.4°F annually, placing it well above the national median temperature. Its location on the high plains creates a semi-arid climate with intense sun exposure.

High ranking state heat

Lea is nearly 7 degrees warmer than the New Mexico average of 54.8°F, ranking it among the state's most consistently hot counties. The regional weather is influenced heavily by its proximity to the Texas Panhandle.

A sister climate to Eddy

Lea averages 14.2 inches of rain, slightly more than its neighbor Eddy County at 12.8 inches. While both are hot, Lea experiences slightly fewer extreme heat days at 102 compared to Eddy's 109.

A hundred days of heat

The county endures 102 days of heat reaching at least 90°F, with a July average of 80.0°F. Winters are short and mild, with a January average of 41.6°F and only 3.7 inches of snow.

Manage the extreme summer peak

Cooling systems are the primary utility concern given the three months of extreme heat. Residents should prepare for occasional dusty winds, as the 14.2 inches of rain does little to suppress dry soil.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Lea County

via SoilByCounty

Alkaline Sandy Plains

This soil leans alkaline with a pH of 7.51, closely matching the New Mexico state average of 7.48. It sits a full point above the national median pH of 6.5, influencing which nutrients are available to plants.

High Sand Composition

Sand dominates the profile at 67.8%, with clay making up only 13.6%. This sandy makeup ensures excellent drainage but limits the soil's ability to hold onto vital nutrients for long periods.

Low Organic Reserves

Organic matter levels of 1.05% trail the state average of 1.27%. Because the water capacity of 0.114 in/in is lower than the state average, frequent irrigation is necessary for plant survival.

Potential for Unexpected Puddling

The soil falls into Hydrologic Group D, indicating that while surface layers are sandy, deeper layers may restrict water infiltration. This can lead to unexpected puddling during intense southeastern storms.

Desert Gems in Zone 8a

Zone 8a gardeners should prioritize desert-adapted perennials, succulents, and lavender. Adding compost or manure is the best way to improve this soil's performance for vegetables.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Lea County

via LawnByCounty

Low Scores in Lea County

Lea County faces a tough lawn care environment, scoring just 17.7 on the lawn difficulty index. This puts it well below the state average of 30.2 and indicates that traditional gardening methods may struggle here. The Hardiness Zone is 8a, characterized by mild winters and very intense, dry summers.

Triple-Digit Heat Potential

With 102 extreme heat days over 90°F, Lea County is one of the warmest areas in New Mexico. Precipitation is slightly higher than the state average at 14.2 inches, but this is still insufficient for standard lawns. A staggering 5083 growing degree days means your grass will be in an active, high-water-use state for most of the year.

Sandy Ground and Alkaline pH

The soil in Lea County is very sandy at 67.8%, which leads to extremely fast drainage and frequent nutrient leaching. The pH of 7.51 is alkaline, making it harder for grass to absorb iron and other minerals compared to the national ideal of 6.0-7.0. You will need to amend the soil frequently with compost to improve its 13.6% clay moisture-holding capacity.

Steady Drought and Sandy Runoff

Lea County has endured 53 weeks of drought over the past year, with 36.5% of the area currently in severe drought. Sandy soils exacerbate this issue by letting water slip past the root zone too quickly. Mulching and using slow-release fertilizers can help your lawn survive these prolonged dry periods.

Planting for the Long Hot Season

Bermuda grass is the top choice for this sandy, high-heat environment due to its aggressive growth and drought tolerance. Planting should begin after the last spring frost on April 4th to maximize the long growing season. Ensure your lawn is well-established before the first frost arrives on November 6th.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lea County's county score?
Lea County, New Mexico has a composite county score of 36.5 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 Lea County rank among counties in New Mexico?
Lea County ranks #26 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 Lea County, New Mexico?
The median annual property tax in Lea County is $879, with an effective tax rate of 0.48%. This earns Lea County a tax score of 86.3/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Lea County?
The median household income in Lea County, New Mexico is $68,015 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Lea County earns an income score of 57.4/100 on CountyScore.
Is Lea County, New Mexico a good place to live?
Lea County scores 36.5/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #26 in New Mexico. The best way to evaluate Lea 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 Lea 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.