68.6
County Score
Income & Jobs 99.7Health 99.6Disaster Risk 96.4

County Report Card

About Los Alamos County, New Mexico

Top-Tier National Performer

Los Alamos County boasts a composite score of 68.5, far exceeding the national median of 50.0. It ranks as one of the most livable counties in the nation across several critical health and income metrics.

New Mexico’s Premier County

With a score of 68.5, Los Alamos towers over the New Mexico state average of 49.1. It represents the peak of economic and social indicators within the state.

Elite Income and Health Metrics

The county is exceptional, with a near-perfect Income Score of 99.7 and a Health Score of 99.6. Residents enjoy a staggering median household income of $143,188 and a robust Water Score of 86.0.

Extremely High Housing Costs

Affordability is the main hurdle, with a Cost Score of 8.9 reflecting a median home value of $452,500. Renters also face higher prices, with median gross rent reaching $1,308 per month.

A Hub for High-Achieving Professionals

Los Alamos County is the ideal home for high-income professionals who demand top-tier schools, health, and safety. It offers a premium lifestyle for those who can afford the high entry price of the local real estate market.

Score breakdown

Tax77.6Cost8.9Safety84Health99.6Schools67.3Income99.7Risk96.4Water86Weather62.5
🏛77.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠8.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼99.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡84
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty
99.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓67.3
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty
96.4
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧86
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty
🌤62.5
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty
🪨
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty
🌱38.4
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty
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Deep Dives

Los Alamos County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 10 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.

Safety in Los Alamos County

via CrimeByCounty

Los Alamos Maintains High Safety Scores

Los Alamos County earns a safety score of 99.4, reflecting a very secure community. Its total crime rate of 373.9 per 100K is significantly lower than the national average of 2,385.5.

Consistently Safer Than the State Average

The county’s 99.4 safety score is well above the New Mexico average of 97.4. With a total crime rate of 373.9, Los Alamos remains much quieter than the state average of 1638.5.

Regional Safety with Single-Agency Data

Los Alamos reports a rate of 373.9, which is slightly higher than Grant County’s 260.6 but still very low. Because data comes from a single agency, it suggests a very controlled environment.

Low Crime with Rare Violent Incidents

Violent crime is extremely rare at 46.7 per 100K, while property crime sits at 327.2. These numbers mean that property-related issues are the most common, though still infrequent, concern.

Simple Security for Peace of Mind

Basic home security measures like deadbolts and window locks are sufficient for this low-crime area. Community awareness and reporting small issues help maintain the high safety score.

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.

Schools in Los Alamos County

via SchoolsByCounty

Top-Tier Education in Los Alamos

Los Alamos County operates 8 public schools within a single consolidated district, serving 3,724 total students. The infrastructure consists of 5 elementary schools, 1 middle school, 1 high school, and 1 specialized campus. Seven of these schools are located within the town area, with only one in a rural locale.

State-Leading Graduation and School Scores

Los Alamos boasts a stellar 93.0% graduation rate, far exceeding both the state (79.0%) and national (87.0%) averages. The county's school score of 56.8 is also significantly higher than state and national medians. While per-pupil spending of $7,785 is near the state average, the academic outcomes are among the best in the country.

A Single District of Excellence

Los Alamos Public Schools manages all 8 campuses in the county, providing a unified and high-standard curriculum. There are no charter schools, as the primary district consistently delivers top-tier results for its entire enrollment. This centralized approach ensures consistent resources across all grade levels.

Robust Enrollment and Town-Centric Learning

Schools here are moderately sized, with an average of 466 students per campus. Los Alamos High is the largest at 860 students, while Aspen and Mountain Elementary schools average around 430 each. The predominantly town-based locales create a community-wide focus on academic achievement and school events.

Investing in Your Family's Future

With one of the highest graduation rates in the nation, Los Alamos is a premier destination for families. Proximity to any of the local elementary schools, such as Barranca Mesa, is a major driver of local home values. Secure a home in a community where educational excellence is the standard, not the exception.

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.

Weather & Climate in Los Alamos County

via WeatherByCounty

Cool alpine mountain weather

Los Alamos County is the coolest in this group, with a 49.8°F average annual temperature that sits below the national median. Its high-altitude mountain climate is distinct from the surrounding desert lowlands.

Colder than the state average

Los Alamos is significantly cooler than the New Mexico average of 54.8°F. It represents the state's alpine climate, where elevation dictates weather patterns more than latitude.

The region's snowy outlier

Compared to Harding County's 54.2°F, Los Alamos is much colder and wetter, receiving 17.5 inches of precipitation. Its 42.1 inches of snow dwarfs every other county in this set.

Extreme snow and rare heat

Extreme heat is rare here, with only 5 days a year reaching 90°F and a mild July average of 69.6°F. Winters are snowy and cold, averaging 31.7°F between December and February.

Focus on winter preparedness

Heavy-duty winter gear and snow-clearing tools are essential for the 42.1 inches of annual snowfall. Residents can often forgo heavy air conditioning, as summer highs are among the lowest in the state.

Soil Quality in Los Alamos County

via SoilByCounty

Volcanic Plateau Soils

Set atop volcanic plateaus, Los Alamos soil is unique, though specific taxonomic and pH data are currently unavailable. Most regional soils trend alkaline compared to the national median of 6.5.

Ash and Tuff Bases

The geology of the Pajarito Plateau suggests soils heavily influenced by volcanic ash and tuff rather than standard sand and clay. This creates a distinct mineral profile for high-altitude plants.

Enriching the Plateau

Organic matter data is missing, but the high elevation typically necessitates significant amendments to reach the state average of 1.27%. Heavy mulching helps protect the soil from the intense mountain sun.

Effective Mesa Drainage

Water movement is often rapid across the mesas, though specific hydrologic groups are not cataloged here. Site-specific drainage solutions are important to manage water on steep canyon edges.

Mountain Bounty in Zone 7b

Zone 7b allows for a vibrant summer garden of tomatoes, peppers, and hardy herbs. The intense high-altitude sun means you should pair your soil with a robust irrigation plan for best results.

Lawn Care in Los Alamos County

via LawnByCounty

Los Alamos: Cool and Capable

Los Alamos County has a lawn difficulty score of 38.4, significantly outperforming the state average. This Hardiness Zone 7b area benefits from a much cooler climate than the rest of New Mexico. While it still tracks below the national median of 50.0, it is one of the more hospitable regions for turf.

The Most Rain, The Least Heat

Los Alamos is the wettest county in this group with 17.5 inches of annual rain and the coolest, with only 5 extreme heat days. This drastically reduces the water stress on grass compared to the state average of 58 heat days. With just 2451 growing degree days, the growing season is shorter but much milder.

Custom Care for Plateau Soils

Comprehensive soil data is currently unavailable for Los Alamos, requiring homeowners to rely on site-specific testing. In this plateau environment, soil can often be shallow or rocky, which may require importing topsoil for a healthy lawn. Aim for a balanced pH and ensure your site has adequate soil depth for root growth.

Managing Moderate Severe Drought

Despite having the highest rainfall, 46.0% of the county is currently in severe drought after a full year of dry conditions. This reflects the region's reliance on consistent snowpack and rain which can be unpredictable. Utilizing rain barrels can be a great way to capture the county's 17.5 inches of rain for lawn use.

A Short but Sweet Season

Cool-season grasses like Fine Fescue are excellent choices here due to the very low number of heat days. Your planting window starts after the May 2nd last frost and ends relatively early with a first frost on October 12th. This shorter season means you should prioritize early summer establishment to ensure success.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Los Alamos County's county score?
Los Alamos County, New Mexico has a composite county score of 68.6 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 Los Alamos County rank among counties in New Mexico?
Los Alamos County ranks #2 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 Los Alamos County, New Mexico?
The median annual property tax in Los Alamos County is $2,591, with an effective tax rate of 0.57%. This earns Los Alamos County a tax score of 77.6/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Los Alamos County?
The median household income in Los Alamos County, New Mexico is $143,188 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Los Alamos County earns an income score of 99.7/100 on CountyScore.
Is Los Alamos County, New Mexico a good place to live?
Los Alamos County scores 68.6/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #2 in New Mexico. The best way to evaluate Los Alamos 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 Los Alamos County with other counties side by side.