CountyScore

Lea County

New Mexico · NM

#27 in New Mexico
66
County Score

County Report Card

About Lea County, New Mexico

Lea ranks solidly above national median

Lea County's composite score of 66.0 exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 66th percentile nationally. The county ranks in the upper-middle tier of U.S. counties on livability measures.

Slightly below New Mexico average

At 66.0, Lea County falls just below New Mexico's state average of 69.8, ranking it toward the lower-middle of the state's counties. It remains competitive but not among the state's top livable communities.

Higher incomes and solid tax efficiency

Lea County stands out with an income score of 28.3 and median household income of $68,750, the highest in this group and supporting a cost score of 77.4. A tax score of 89.1 with 0.468% effective rate further strengthens fiscal appeal.

Risk and health metrics lag peers

The county's risk score of 14.0 is among the lowest examined, suggesting environmental or economic vulnerabilities. Additionally, the health score of 57.8 trails peers, indicating room for improvement in health-related outcomes.

Best for income-focused professionals

Lea County suits professionals and working families seeking the highest local incomes in this group with reasonable affordability and low taxes. It's the strongest choice for wage earners, though environmental risk factors warrant consideration.

Score breakdown

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

Tax89.1Cost77.4SafetyComing SoonHealth57.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome28.3Risk14WaterComing Soon
🏛89.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠77.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼28.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤57.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡14
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 Lea County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Craighead County
Arkansas
66
Median income: $57,615
Putnam County
Georgia
66
Median income: $64,163
Hendricks County
Indiana
66
Median income: $99,988
Boyd County
Kentucky
66
Median income: $60,659
Daviess County
Kentucky
66
Median income: $65,323

Deep Dives

Lea County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 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

Cost of Living in Lea County

via CostByCounty

Lea's strong incomes offset higher rents

Lea County renters spend 19.5% of household income on rent, essentially matching New Mexico's state average of 19.4%, but residents here earn $68,750—only 8% below the national median. This income advantage makes Lea's higher rents ($1,119) far more manageable than the raw number suggests.

Higher rents, higher wages, balanced burden

Lea County's rent-to-income ratio of 19.5% matches the state average, yet the county ranks among the state's higher-income counties. This above-average earning power is driven by oil and gas employment, which elevates both incomes and rents.

Highest rents, but strong incomes justify them

Lea's $1,119 median rent rivals Eddy County's $1,183, and both far exceed the state average of $876. The difference: Lea's $68,750 median income creates a 19.5% burden ratio, while lower-income neighbors struggle with higher proportional costs.

Energy sector earnings power the rental market

Renters pay $1,119 monthly while owners pay $699, with median home values around $176,000. The $68,750 median household income—well above most New Mexico counties—reflects the region's oil and gas economy and sustains the higher housing costs.

Lea: premium rents for energy-sector wages

Lea County offers higher rents than most of New Mexico, but also significantly higher incomes—primarily from oil and gas work. If you're considering a move here, factor in energy sector job cycles, which can dramatically impact both employment and housing demand.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

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

Health in Lea County

via HealthByCounty

Lea County trails national health averages

At 72.6 years, Lea County's life expectancy falls nearly four years short of the U.S. average of 76.4 years. One in four residents (24.4%) report poor or fair health, and the uninsured rate of 13.3% is among the nation's highest, creating barriers to treatment.

Worst uninsured rate in New Mexico

Lea County's uninsured rate of 13.3% is the highest among New Mexico counties analyzed, far exceeding the state average of 10.2%. Life expectancy of 72.6 years lags the state average of 73.7 years, suggesting that lack of coverage translates directly to worse health outcomes.

Lowest life expectancy and highest uninsured rate

Lea County's 72.6-year life expectancy is the lowest in the southeastern cluster and its 13.3% uninsured rate is highest by far. Primary care access at 30 per 100,000 providers is limited, and the mental health provider ratio of 130 per 100,000 is among the region's lowest.

Coverage gaps drive daily health disparities

One in seven Lea County residents lack health insurance, making preventive care, medications, and specialist visits financially out of reach. With only 30 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and limited mental health support at 130 per 100,000, uninsured residents face a double bind of scarcity and cost.

Affordable coverage is within reach

Lea County's 13.3% uninsured rate is a public health emergency—visit healthcare.gov or New Mexico's health marketplace immediately to secure coverage. With tax credits and subsidies available, affordable plans exist for nearly every income level.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Lea County

via RiskByCounty

Lea County faces the state's highest risk

With a composite risk score of 86.01, Lea County ranks as relatively moderate and substantially exceeds New Mexico's state average of 58.92. This elevated exposure makes Lea one of the most hazard-prone counties in the state.

Highest-risk county in New Mexico

Lea County ranks first statewide in composite disaster risk, surpassing even neighboring Eddy County (83.65). The county's vulnerability to flooding, wildfires, and tornadoes creates a compounded threat landscape unique in New Mexico.

Riskier than all adjacent counties

Lea County's 86.01 score edges out neighboring Eddy (83.65) and exceeds Lincoln (79.48) and other surrounding areas. This southeastern location places Lea at the convergence of multiple hazard corridors, amplifying cumulative risk.

Wildfire, flooding, and tornadoes all threaten

Lea County faces a triple threat: wildfire (98.03), flood (88.33), and tornado (54.45) risks all exceed state averages. Earthquake (29.26) and hurricane (39.76) risks add complexity, requiring comprehensive preparedness planning across multiple hazard types.

Comprehensive insurance is essential

Secure flood insurance, wildfire coverage, and tornado-resistant improvements (reinforced windows, storm shelters) to address Lea County's compounded hazards. Review your homeowners policy annually to ensure adequate coverage across multiple perils, and maintain defensible space around your property.

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.