countyscore
58.3
County Score
Cost of Living 69.8Schools 65.3Safety 63

County Report Card

About Mora County, New Mexico

Leading the National Median

Mora County achieves a 63.5 composite score, far exceeding the national median of 50.0. This high ranking suggests a quality of life that competes well with established counties nationwide.

A Top-Tier New Mexico Performer

At 63.5, Mora County sits well above the New Mexico average of 49.1. It is a regional leader, providing a robust mix of low taxes and strong public institutions.

Low Taxes and Solid Schools

The county excels with a tax score of 82.3, supported by a low 0.535% effective tax rate. Education is also a highlight, with a school score of 65.3 that outpaces many neighboring areas.

Water and Income Constraints

Water security is a primary concern with a score of only 2.5. Economic opportunity also remains low, reflected in an income score of 14.9 and a median household income of $50,178.

Best for Education-Focused Families

Mora County is an excellent fit for families who value quality schools and a low tax burden. It is ideal for those who can manage limited water resources in exchange for a high-value educational environment.

204060801005869.86354.365.318.961.22.554.6Tax58Cost69.8Safety63Health54.3Schools65.3Income18.9Risk61.2Water2.5Weather54.658.3/100
This county
National avg
3 above average2 below average

Mora County DNA

Foverall

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

Mora County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Cost of Living (69.8/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (2.5/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
58
Cost
69.8+21.799999999999997
Safety
63+8
Health
54.3
Schools
65.3+11.299999999999997
Income
18.9-32.1
Risk
61.2+14.200000000000003
Water
2.5-55.5
Weather
54.6
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Think property taxes are too high in Mora County?

Many homeowners in Mora County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$122,600

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$887/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$122,600/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$35,480/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.3x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $53,663/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

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Nearby counties

San Miguel County
New Mexico
44.2
Colfax County
New Mexico
55
Taos County
New Mexico
48.9
Santa Fe County
New Mexico
35.5
Harding County
New Mexico
65.1
Los Alamos County
New Mexico
68.6
Rio Arriba County
New Mexico
61.6
Costilla County
Colorado
61.7

Deep Dives

Mora County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Mora County

via TaxByCounty

Mora's taxes rank among the lowest nationally

Mora County's effective tax rate of 0.535% places it in the lowest tier of American counties for property tax burden. The median tax bill of $642 is nearly 76% lower than the national median of $2,690, making Mora an exceptionally affordable county for homeowners nationwide.

Mora undercuts New Mexico's average

Mora County's 0.535% rate is the lowest in the state, trailing New Mexico's average of 0.595% by a meaningful margin. At just $642 in median annual taxes, Mora residents pay 38% less than the state median, making it the most tax-friendly county in New Mexico.

Mora offers the region's lowest rates

Mora's 0.535% rate edges below Luna (0.576%) and significantly undercuts Otero (0.563%), Quay (0.617%), and McKinley (1.889%). For rural New Mexico, Mora represents the most favorable tax environment across this cluster of comparable counties.

Median Mora home: $642 annual tax

A home valued at $119,900—Mora's median—generates approximately $642 in annual property taxes, one of the lowest figures in the state. Homeowners with mortgages typically pay $724 after insurance and fees, while those owning outright pay around $563.

Appeal if your home is overassessed

Even in Mora's low-tax environment, some homeowners overpay due to inflated assessments that don't reflect current market values. Filing an appeal with the county assessor is free and can further reduce your already modest tax burden if your home is valued above comparable recent sales.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Mora County

via IncomeByCounty

Mora earns one-third below national median

Mora County's median household income of $50,178 sits 33% below the national median of $74,755, placing it in America's lower-income tier. However, Mora outperforms Luna and McKinley counties, suggesting a slightly more diversified local economy.

Middle-tier earner among New Mexico counties

Mora County ranks in the middle range among New Mexico's 33 counties, with median household income of $50,178 compared to the state average of $55,469—just $5,291 below. Its per capita income of $34,616 notably exceeds the state average of $32,602, suggesting more equitable income distribution.

Outearns western peers, trails eastern rivals

Mora's $50,178 median income exceeds McKinley ($44,496) and Quay ($43,698) but trails Rio Arriba ($53,901) and San Juan ($53,020) counties. The spread reflects varying degrees of economic opportunity across New Mexico's rural northeast.

Most affordable housing relative to earnings

Mora County offers the best rent-to-income ratio among these eight counties at 18.8%, comfortably under the 20% affordability threshold. This favorable housing climate provides Mora households with more flexibility to save and invest compared to neighbors facing tighter housing pressures.

Leverage low housing costs for wealth building

With housing costs well-controlled, Mora residents are positioned to prioritize retirement savings, education, and investment—critical steps to building generational wealth. Consider maximizing employer retirement plans and exploring side income opportunities to accelerate wealth accumulation beyond median earnings.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Mora County

via CrimeByCounty

Mora County Outperforms National Safety Benchmarks

With a total crime rate of 855.5 per 100K, Mora County is significantly safer than the national average of 2,385.5. This earns the county an impressive safety score of 98.6.

Leading the State in Public Safety

Mora County's 98.6 safety score easily beats the New Mexico average of 97.4. Its total crime rate is nearly half the state average of 1638.5 per 100K.

Mora County vs Northern Neighbors

The crime rate here is much lower than nearby San Miguel County, which sees 1778.5 incidents per 100K. Mora stands out as a relatively quiet rural enclave in Northern New Mexico.

Low Crime Rates with Cautionary Data

The violent crime rate is 308.9 per 100K, which is lower than the national average of 369.8. Because only one agency reports data here, these statistics may not capture every local incident.

Maintaining Security in Rural Mora County

Low crime rates offer peace of mind, but distance from law enforcement makes home security essential. Simple deadbolts and driveway alarms provide an extra layer of protection for remote properties.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Mora County

via WeatherByCounty

Cold Peaks and Heavy Snow

Mora County is one of the cooler regions in the nation with an annual average of 47.7°F. It receives a robust 20.2 inches of precipitation, largely driven by significant mountain snowfall.

High Altitude Moisture Leader

Mora's 20.2 inches of precipitation sits well above the New Mexico average of 14.0 inches. Its average temperature of 47.7°F makes it much colder than the state's 54.8°F baseline.

The Snow Capital of the Region

Mora County sees 62.1 inches of snow annually, dwarfing the 37.6 inches in neighboring Rio Arriba County. It records only 8 days of extreme heat, compared to 82 days in Roosevelt County.

Brief Summers and Frozen Winters

July averages a cool 65.8°F, and the county rarely sees extreme heat. Winters are long and snowy, with an average temperature of 32.4°F and over five feet of total snowfall.

Prioritize Insulation and Snow Removal

Heavy-duty snow tires and reliable heating systems are vital for navigating the 62.1-inch annual snowfall. Air conditioning is rarely a priority here, given the county only averages 8 days above 90°F.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Mora County

via SoilByCounty

Mountain and Meadow Soil Identity

Mora County lacks specific taxonomic and pH data in the current database, though mountain soils here often vary based on elevation. In the absence of local figures, the state average pH of 7.48 provides a general reference for the region.

Diverse Textures Across the Landscape

Measurements for sand, silt, and clay are not provided for this specific area. The county’s geography transitions from plains to mountains, meaning textures likely range from silty loams in valleys to more rocky compositions at higher altitudes.

Fertility in a Changing Climate

With specific organic matter percentages unavailable, local growers should aim to meet or exceed the state average of 1.27%. High-altitude soils in this region often benefit from nitrogen-fixing cover crops to boost natural fertility.

Observing Natural Water Flow

Official drainage data is currently limited for Mora County. Because the landscape includes significant slopes, monitoring how water moves during snowmelt and summer storms is essential for preventing soil erosion.

Cool-Season Success in Zone 6a

In the cool climate of hardiness zone 6a, Mora County is perfect for berries, hardy greens, and short-season root vegetables. The crisp air and mountain water create a unique environment for specialized high-altitude gardening.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Mora County

via LawnByCounty

Mora County’s Favorable Growing Conditions

Mora County stands out with a lawn difficulty score of 45.2, significantly outperforming the New Mexico state average of 30.2. While still slightly below the national median of 50.0, this 6a hardiness zone is one of the region's more hospitable areas.

Ample Rainfall and Mild Summers

The county enjoys 20.2 inches of annual precipitation, which is much closer to ideal levels than its neighbors. With only 8 extreme heat days per year, grass faces less thermal stress and has a more manageable watering schedule.

Preparing Your Garden Foundation

Specific soil data for Mora County is limited, but the region's mountain valleys typically offer more organic matter than the southern deserts. Homeowners should focus on testing their specific site to optimize the growing environment for zone 6a.

Strong Resilience to Drought

Mora County shows better resilience than most, with 0% of its area in severe drought and only 23 weeks of drought over the past year. Maintaining a taller mowing height can help shade the soil and further protect this natural moisture.

Take Advantage of the July Rain

Fine fescues and Kentucky bluegrass thrive here if established between the May 26 last frost and the September 26 first frost. The mild July average of 65.8°F provides an excellent environment for root development.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mora County's county score?
Mora County, New Mexico has a composite county score of 58.3 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 Mora County rank among counties in New Mexico?
Mora County ranks #8 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 Mora County, New Mexico?
The median annual property tax in Mora County is $885, with an effective tax rate of 0.72%. This earns Mora County a tax score of 58/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Mora County?
The median household income in Mora County, New Mexico is $53,663 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Mora County earns an income score of 18.9/100 on CountyScore.
Is Mora County, New Mexico a good place to live?
Mora County scores 58.3/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #8 in New Mexico. The best way to evaluate Mora 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 Mora 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.