Los Alamos County

New Mexico · NM

#2 in New Mexico
78.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Los Alamos County, New Mexico

Los Alamos near the national elite

Los Alamos County's composite score of 78.5 substantially exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 78th percentile nationally. The county ranks among the most livable in the entire United States.

Second-highest in New Mexico

At 78.5, Los Alamos County significantly outpaces New Mexico's state average of 69.8, ranking second only to Harding County in this group. The county stands as one of New Mexico's premier livable communities.

Exceptional incomes and health outcomes

Los Alamos stands out with an income score of 76.8 and median household income of $143,188—far above all other counties examined. Its health score of 90.7 is the highest in the group, and a risk score of 96.4 indicates strong environmental resilience.

Housing costs significantly higher

The cost score of 59.6 reflects the county's higher housing prices, with median rent at $1,308/month and median home value at $452,500—nearly double other counties. This affordability tradeoff is the primary livability constraint.

Premium option for high earners

Los Alamos County is ideal for professionals and families with substantial incomes seeking the highest-earning community with excellent health outcomes and environmental stability. The higher housing costs are offset by superior wages, health quality, and regional prestige.

Score breakdown

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

Tax86.2Cost59.6SafetyComing SoonHealth90.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome76.8Risk96.4WaterComing Soon
🏛86.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠59.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼76.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
90.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
96.4
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Los Alamos County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Los Alamos County

via TaxByCounty

Los Alamos taxes nearly match national median

Los Alamos County's effective tax rate of 0.573% generates a median property tax of $2,591, nearly equal to the national median of $2,690. This places Los Alamos among the highest-tax counties in New Mexico and well above the national average in absolute dollars.

Highest-taxed county in New Mexico

Los Alamos County's 0.573% effective rate ranks highest across all New Mexico counties, exceeding the state average of 0.595%. The median property tax of $2,591 is two-and-a-half times the statewide median of $1,043, reflecting both high tax rates and the highest median home values in the state.

Far exceeds all surrounding counties

Los Alamos County's 0.573% rate dramatically outpaces Santa Fe and surrounding regions, with no adjacent counties coming close to this burden. The county's concentration of highly educated, well-compensated residents and robust property values drive its ranking as the state's highest-taxed area.

Los Alamos homeowner pays $2,591 yearly

With a median home value of $452,500 and a 0.573% effective rate, the typical Los Alamos County homeowner pays $2,591 annually—nearly $1,550 more than the state median. Both homeowners with mortgages ($2,570) and those without ($2,635) face similar bills due to high valuations.

Seek a professional assessment review

At Los Alamos's high tax levels, even modest assessment errors compound significantly. Consider hiring a property tax consultant to review your assessed value against recent comparable sales—the potential savings may easily justify the consultation fee.

Cost of Living in Los Alamos County

via CostByCounty

Los Alamos dominates on income and affordability

Los Alamos County residents earn a median household income of $143,188—91% above the national median of $74,755—and spend just 11.0% of income on rent, far below the national comfort zone and the state average of 19.4%. This combination makes Los Alamos the state's most affluent housing market by a substantial margin.

New Mexico's wealthiest county by far

Los Alamos County dramatically outpaces all other New Mexico counties, with a median income nearly triple the state median and a rent-to-income ratio that beats every other county. The county's National Laboratory economy creates a high-wage enclave unlike anywhere else in the state.

Incomes and costs both exceptional

Los Alamos's $143,188 median income dwarfs every comparison county, with Eddy ($79,605) being the nearest competitor at just 55% of Los Alamos earnings. Home values ($452,500 median) are similarly extraordinary, reflecting a completely separate housing market.

High costs, but higher incomes absorb them

Renters pay $1,308 monthly while owners pay $1,634, with median home values around $452,500—New Mexico's highest. At $143,188 median household income, housing costs consume only 11.0% of gross income, leaving substantial room for savings and investment.

Los Alamos: exclusive market, elite incomes

Los Alamos offers unmatched housing affordability ratios, but entry requires a Laboratory job or professional credentials that command similar salaries. If you can secure high-paying technical or scientific employment here, you'll enjoy New Mexico's best affordability picture—and the nation's.

Income & Jobs in Los Alamos County

via IncomeByCounty

Los Alamos far exceeds national income

Los Alamos County's median household income of $143,188 nearly doubles the U.S. median of $74,755, running about $68,400 ahead nationally. The county ranks among America's highest-income counties, driven by highly educated workforce and research sector jobs.

New Mexico's clear income leader

Los Alamos County's median household income of $143,188 crushes New Mexico's state average of $55,469, running 158% higher than the typical state household. The county stands alone in earning power across New Mexico.

Vastly outearns all regional peers

Los Alamos County households earn $143,188, more than double Eddy County ($79,605), Lea County ($68,750), and Lincoln County ($51,643). The county's research and national laboratory employment creates an income profile entirely distinct from surrounding counties.

Strong income supports high home values

Los Alamos County's rent-to-income ratio of 11.0% is the lowest among New Mexico counties, with median home values of $452,500. The county's exceptional household incomes provide ample capacity to support premium housing and cost of living.

Sophisticated wealth-building opportunity

Los Alamos County households earning $143,188 enjoy rare income levels that enable aggressive wealth-building across multiple asset classes. Work with a financial advisor on diversified investment strategies, tax-efficient retirement planning, estate planning, and long-term wealth preservation to maximize the county's exceptional earning advantage.

Health in Los Alamos County

via HealthByCounty

Los Alamos County far exceeds national health

At 83.0 years, Los Alamos County's life expectancy is nearly seven years above the U.S. average of 76.4 years—among the nation's highest. Only 8.8% of residents report poor or fair health, and the uninsured rate of 2.1% is one-sixth the national average.

Unmatched health outcomes in New Mexico

Los Alamos County's 83.0-year life expectancy is more than nine years above New Mexico's 73.7-year state average, and its 2.1% uninsured rate is one-fifth the state average of 10.2%. No other New Mexico county comes close to this level of health achievement and coverage.

Dramatically outpaces all regional counties

Los Alamos County's life expectancy of 83.0 years towers over every southeastern county—Lincoln (75.8), Hidalgo (75.0), and Grant (74.3) are all 7+ years behind. With 155 primary care providers per 100,000 and 283 mental health providers per 100,000, Los Alamos has unparalleled healthcare capacity.

World-class healthcare access and coverage

Just 2.1% of Los Alamos County residents lack health insurance—the lowest in the state—and 155 primary care providers per 100,000 ensure rapid access to care. Mental health support at 283 per 100,000, combined with high insurance rates, creates a healthcare environment rare in rural New Mexico.

Maintain the advantage through continuous care

Los Alamos County's exceptional health outcomes reflect decades of investment in healthcare access and preventive care. Even with a 2.1% uninsured rate, ensure your household is covered by visiting healthcare.gov—gaps in insurance jeopardize health gains.

Disaster Risk in Los Alamos County

via RiskByCounty

Los Alamos County ranks very low for risk

With a composite risk score of just 3.59, Los Alamos County is rated very low and sits dramatically below New Mexico's state average of 58.92. The county's minimal disaster exposure positions it among the safest areas in the state.

Among New Mexico's lowest-risk counties

Los Alamos County ranks near the bottom of New Mexico's disaster vulnerability list, with a score reflecting exceptional safety across most hazard categories. Only Harding County (0.38) has lower overall composite risk statewide.

Much safer than surrounding regions

Los Alamos County's 3.59 score is a fraction of eastern counties' exposure, and significantly lower than northern New Mexico's moderate-risk areas. This geographic position in the state's north-central region provides natural protection from major hazard corridors.

Wildfire the only notable concern

Wildfire risk scores 83.40 in Los Alamos County—the only hazard of material concern—reflecting the county's elevation and vegetation. Earthquake risk (50.25) is moderate, while flood (11.10), tornado (3.79), and hurricane risks remain minimal.

Standard insurance with wildfire coverage

A standard homeowners policy with wildfire endorsement adequately protects Los Alamos County residents, given the county's overall safety profile. Prioritize defensible space maintenance around your property, and consider flood insurance only if your home sits in a mapped waterway zone.

ByCounty Network

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