CountyScore

Otero County

New Mexico · NM

#22 in New Mexico
68.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Otero County, New Mexico

Otero County solidly above national average

Otero County's composite score of 68.3 surpasses the national median of 50.0, ranking in the 68th percentile nationally. This performance reflects competitive livability advantages across most dimensions.

Slightly below state average in New Mexico

At 68.3, Otero County ranks just below the state average of 69.8, placing it in the middle tier of New Mexico's county performance. It holds steady livability relative to state peers.

Strong income and health outcomes

Otero County leads this group in income score (17.8) with a median household income of $52,717, indicating stronger economic opportunities. Health outcomes (66.4) also rank among the best, supported by solid tax efficiency (86.4).

Elevated housing costs and risk factors

While overall affordability remains good, Otero's cost score of 82.1 lags some peers, with median rents of $926/month and home values of $149,500. Risk indicators (15.3) are the lowest in this group, suggesting limited environmental or economic buffers.

For working families seeking balanced living

Otero County suits families with moderate incomes seeking solid health services and fair housing costs without the lowest prices. It offers a practical balance of economic opportunity and community stability.

Score breakdown

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

Tax86.4Cost82.1SafetyComing SoonHealth66.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome17.8Risk15.3WaterComing Soon
🏛86.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠82.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼17.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤66.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡15.3
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 Otero County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Etowah County
Alabama
68.3
Median income: $53,070
Greene County
Arkansas
68.3
Median income: $56,793
Charlton County
Georgia
68.3
Median income: $48,534
Wilkes County
Georgia
68.3
Median income: $52,542
Greene County
Illinois
68.3
Median income: $60,976

Deep Dives

Otero County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Otero County

via TaxByCounty

Otero's taxes stay well below the nation

Otero County's effective tax rate of 0.563% is substantially lower than the national median, with a typical homeowner paying $841 annually on the median property value. This represents a 69% savings compared to the national median tax bill of $2,690, placing Otero among the most affordable counties in America.

Otero slightly below state average

Otero County's 0.563% rate runs slightly below New Mexico's state average of 0.595%, with a median tax of $841 compared to the state median of $1,043. This positions Otero as a moderate-tax county within the state, offering reasonable property tax costs relative to state norms.

Otero's rate sits in the middle tier

Otero's 0.563% rate falls between Mora (0.535%) and Luna (0.576%), making it solidly mid-range for this cluster of rural southern New Mexico counties. Among its regional peers, Otero offers balanced tax rates without the extremes seen in McKinley or the lowest rates of Mora.

Median Otero home: $841 annual tax

On Otero's median home value of $149,500, property owners pay approximately $841 in annual taxes, reflecting the county's moderate rate and higher property values. Homeowners with mortgages typically pay $976 after insurance and fees, while those owning outright pay around $672.

Challenge your assessment if overstated

Otero homeowners with higher-value properties should verify that their assessments align with recent comparable sales in the area. If your home is assessed above market value, an appeal can recover hundreds of dollars in annual tax savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Otero County

via CostByCounty

Otero County rents stretch incomes

Otero County residents spend 21.1% of their income on rent, exceeding New Mexico's 19.4% state average and pushing toward affordability stress. At $926 monthly, Otero County rents rank among New Mexico's highest, yet median household income of $52,717 remains 30% below the national $74,755.

Above-average rental costs statewide

Otero County's 21.1% rent-to-income ratio exceeds New Mexico's state average, driven by above-median rents of $926 paired with modest incomes. This affordability gap places Otero among the state's more expensive counties for renters despite moderate local wages.

Priciest rental market in region

Otero County's $926 rent ranks second-highest among these eight counties, trailing only San Juan County at $917 and far exceeding rural neighbors like Quay ($752) and Luna ($685). This price premium reflects Otero's relatively stronger economic position in southern New Mexico.

Homeownership costs match high rents

Otero County renters pay $926 monthly while homeowners spend $628—both substantial figures that exceed most rural peers. With median income at $52,717, renters dedicate 21.1% to housing costs while homeowners spend roughly 14.3%, leaving homeowners with greater financial flexibility.

Premium pricing, but stronger stability

Otero County offers higher incomes than many rural New Mexico counties, justifying its premium rents and home values of $149,500. Relocators should consider the trade-off: higher costs balanced by stronger local wages and, if buying, access to more substantial housing stock.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Otero County

via IncomeByCounty

Otero earns 29% below national median

Otero County's median household income of $52,717 falls 29% below the U.S. median of $74,755, reflecting limited wage opportunities in this southern New Mexico region. This gap, while significant, positions Otero above several neighboring rural counties in the state.

Upper-middle earner in New Mexico

Otero County ranks in the upper half of New Mexico's 33 counties, with median household income of $52,717 just $2,752 below the state average of $55,469. Per capita income of $28,186 remains 13% below the state average, suggesting some income inequality within the county.

Strongest earner in southern cluster

Otero's $52,717 median exceeds Luna County ($37,917) by 39% and outpaces McKinley ($44,496) and Quay ($43,698), ranking it as a relative income leader in southern New Mexico. Proximity to the military and government employment likely supports this regional advantage.

Housing costs manageable for median earners

Otero's rent-to-income ratio of 21.1% sits slightly above the affordability ideal, though median home values of $149,500 are higher than most county peers. The county offers reasonable housing affordability relative to median income, supporting moderate household financial stability.

Build on regional wage advantages

Otero residents can leverage their relative income advantage to build emergency savings and invest in education or skill development. Exploring career advancement within government, military, and healthcare sectors—strong local employers—offers the most direct path to exceeding county median earnings.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Otero County

via HealthByCounty

Otero County Outperforms National Health Averages

Otero County residents live 74.9 years on average—1.8 years longer than the U.S. average of 73.1 years, demonstrating above-average health outcomes for a rural New Mexico county. Only 21.1% report poor or fair health, beating the national average and reflecting strong disease management.

Top Tier Health in New Mexico

Otero County's 74.9-year life expectancy ranks in the top third statewide, exceeding the New Mexico average of 73.7 years by 1.2 years. The 21.1% poor/fair health rate is among the lowest in the state, positioning Otero as a health success story.

Healthier Than Most New Mexico Peers

Otero County's 74.9-year life expectancy surpasses neighboring Luna County (72.1 years) and significantly outpaces troubled McKinley County (63.9 years). The 11.8-year gap between Otero and McKinley highlights regional health disparities across south-central New Mexico.

Strong Provider Access and Insurance Coverage

Otero County residents benefit from 45 primary care providers per 100K—above many rural counties—and an exceptional 294 mental health providers per 100K, among the highest in the state. The 9.3% uninsured rate is below the state average of 10.2%, meaning most residents access preventive and emergency care.

Maintain Your Health Insurance Today

Otero County's strong health metrics reflect good insurance uptake; residents should verify coverage at Healthcare.gov or contact local health centers to stay protected. With robust provider access, staying insured ensures you can maintain the health advantages your county enjoys.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Otero County

via RiskByCounty

Otero County faces significant risk nationally

Otero County scores 84.70 on composite risk, earning a Relatively Moderate rating and placing it well above the national average. This elevated score reflects substantial exposure to multiple serious natural hazards across the region.

Among New Mexico's highest-risk counties

Otero County ranks near the top of New Mexico's risk hierarchy with a 84.70 score, far exceeding the state average of 58.92. The county stands as one of the state's most hazard-exposed communities.

Riskier than all adjacent counties

Otero County's 84.70 score significantly exceeds neighboring Luna and Doña Ana counties' risk profiles. The county faces the highest wildfire risk in the immediate region and represents one of southern New Mexico's most hazard-vulnerable areas.

Wildfire, flood, and earthquake threats

Wildfire risk peaks at 98.16, making Otero County one of New Mexico's most fire-prone areas with severe threats to homes and ecosystems. Flood risk at 88.61 and earthquake risk at 55.73 compound the county's multi-hazard vulnerability.

Multiple insurance coverages are vital

Otero County residents must secure comprehensive homeowners insurance with explicit wildfire coverage and maintain defensible space aggressively. Flood insurance is also essential for properties in vulnerable zones, and earthquake coverage should be evaluated based on your home's age and structural condition.

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.