Saguache County scores 79.5 out of 100, substantially above the national median of 50.0 and exceeding Colorado's state average of 71.8. The county ranks highest in this sample, driven by exceptional affordability.
2 / 5
Colorado's most livable by composite score
Saguache County's score of 79.5 leads this eight-county group and ranks well above Colorado's state average of 71.8. The county delivers the strongest overall livability profile in this comparison.
3 / 5
Ultra-low costs and exceptional tax rates
Saguache County leads with a cost score of 84.8 and tax score of 92.7, offering the lowest median home values ($200,000) and rent ($746 per month) in the sample. The effective tax rate of 0.340% is among the state's lowest.
4 / 5
Lowest incomes and limited economic data
The county's income score of 18.8 reflects a median household income of $54,283, the lowest in this group. Data on schools, safety, health, and environmental conditions are not yet available to complete the livability picture.
5 / 5
Perfect for budget-conscious rural seekers
Saguache County is ideal for retirees, remote workers, and families seeking the absolute lowest costs and taxes in Colorado's rural communities. Limited local employment opportunities mean external income sources are essential.
Saguache County scores 79.5 out of 100, substantially above the national median of 50.0 and exceeding Colorado's state average of 71.8. The county ranks highest in this sample, driven by exceptional affordability.
Colorado's most livable by composite score
Saguache County's score of 79.5 leads this eight-county group and ranks well above Colorado's state average of 71.8. The county delivers the strongest overall livability profile in this comparison.
Ultra-low costs and exceptional tax rates
Saguache County leads with a cost score of 84.8 and tax score of 92.7, offering the lowest median home values ($200,000) and rent ($746 per month) in the sample. The effective tax rate of 0.340% is among the state's lowest.
Lowest incomes and limited economic data
The county's income score of 18.8 reflects a median household income of $54,283, the lowest in this group. Data on schools, safety, health, and environmental conditions are not yet available to complete the livability picture.
Perfect for budget-conscious rural seekers
Saguache County is ideal for retirees, remote workers, and families seeking the absolute lowest costs and taxes in Colorado's rural communities. Limited local employment opportunities mean external income sources are essential.
Score breakdown
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🏛92.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Saguache County's effective tax rate of 0.340% places it in the bottom 10% nationally, offering homeowners substantially lower tax pressure than most Americans. The median property tax of $679 is just 25% of the national median of $2,690, making Saguache one of the nation's most affordable tax counties.
Below Colorado's state average
Saguache County's 0.340% effective rate falls below Colorado's state average of 0.393%, ranking it in the lower-tax half of the state's 64 counties. The median property tax of $679 is less than 44% of the state median of $1,560.
Second-lowest taxes in the analysis
Saguache County's 0.340% rate is second only to Prowers County (0.327%), making it one of the most tax-friendly places in rural Colorado. The county beats Rio Blanco, Routt, and Rio Grande by meaningful margins.
Median $200,000 home costs $679
A homeowner with the median-valued property of $200,000 in Saguache County pays approximately $679 per year in property taxes. With a mortgage, that increases to $733; without, it drops to $594.
Even low bills warrant verification
Saguache County homeowners should not assume their assessments are correct simply because tax bills are modest; overassessment occurs at every tax rate. Reviewing your assessed value against comparable properties could eliminate an unnecessary few hundred dollars in annual payments.
Saguache County residents spend just 16.5% of income on rent—well below both the state average (20.2%) and national norms—with monthly costs of $746. Despite having Colorado's lowest median household income at $54,283, families here enjoy one of the state's most affordable housing markets.
Rural Colorado at Its Most Affordable
Saguache County ranks third statewide for affordability, delivering genuine housing relief to residents earning the least. The $746 rent and $200,000 median home value reflect a true rural community where housing costs remain proportional to local incomes.
Saguache Beats Rio Grande Slightly
Saguache's $746 rent matches Rio Grande County's affordability level, though with slightly lower home values ($200K vs. $215K). Both counties compete as the region's budget champions, with Saguache appealing to those seeking maximum cost reduction in the San Luis Valley.
Housing Takes Just 16.5% of Income
With a median household income of $54,283, Saguache residents allocate 16.5% to rent and 14.9% to ownership—exceptionally low ratios. The remarkable gap between rent ($746) and ownership ($675) means homeownership is actually cheaper, making the county accessible for first-time buyers.
Saguache: Lowest-Cost Colorado Living
Saguache County delivers Colorado's most affordable housing combined with authentic mountain-valley living—rents under $750 and ownership under $700 monthly. Retirees, remote workers, and those priced out of mainstream markets should seriously compare Saguache's exceptional value proposition.
Saguache County's median household income of $54,283 falls 27% short of the nation's $74,755 median, ranking among America's lowest-income counties. The county's ranching and agricultural economy reflects deep structural economic challenges.
Colorado's lowest-earning county
Saguache County ranks dead last among Colorado counties with a $54,283 median income, 27% below the state average of $74,792. The county faces severe economic headwinds requiring strategic intervention.
Significantly trails all regional peers
Saguache County ($54,283) falls well below Phillips County ($60,372), Prowers County ($57,601), and Rio Grande County ($62,166). The county lags every other region in Colorado by substantial margins.
Best affordability amid income crisis
Saguache County's 16.5% rent-to-income ratio provides exceptional housing affordability, the county's strongest economic advantage. A median home value of $200,000 remains highly accessible, though low incomes limit buying power.
Overcoming economic hardship
Households earning $54,283 face real constraints but should still target small emergency savings and explore available assistance programs. Investigate local nonprofit financial counseling, workforce development resources, and employer benefits packages designed to support low-to-moderate income families.
At 77.1 years, Saguache County's life expectancy is 0.7 years above the U.S. average of 76.4 years, but masks underlying health challenges. With 21.9% of residents reporting poor or fair health—well above the national average of 18%—the county struggles with significant disease burden despite stable overall life expectancy.
Middling health within Colorado
Saguache County's 77.1-year life expectancy is 1.1 years below Colorado's state average of 78.2 years, placing it in the lower-middle tier statewide. Its 12.3% uninsured rate exceeds Colorado's 9.7% average by 2.6 percentage points, leaving a meaningful portion of the population underprotected.
High health burden despite coverage
Saguache County's 77.1-year life expectancy sits between Phillips County (76.3 years) and Rio Blanco (78.7 years), but its 21.9% poor/fair health rate is the second-highest among all eight counties. Its 12.3% uninsured rate places it among the less-covered counties, compounding health challenges.
Limited mental health resources
Saguache County has 31 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and just 120 mental health providers per 100,000—the second-lowest mental health density in the cohort. With 12.3% uninsured and limited specialized care, residents face barriers to addressing the county's high burden of poor health.
Get insured, get care
Saguache County's 21.9% poor/fair health rate and 12.3% uninsured rate demand urgent action on coverage. Visit healthcare.gov or contact Colorado's Connect for Health at 1-855-752-6749 to enroll in Medicaid or marketplace plans—your pathway to the primary and mental health care Saguache needs.
Saguache County's composite risk score of 14.25 earns a "Very Low" rating and sits substantially below the national average. The county offers among the lowest natural disaster exposure in the United States.
Colorado's second-safest county
Saguache County's score of 14.25 ranks second-lowest in Colorado, well below the state average of 40.67. Residents experience natural disaster exposure significantly better than the Colorado norm.
Safest in its region
Saguache County (14.25) faces dramatically lower risk than Rio Grande County (45.77) and Rio Blanco County (37.60), and is comparable to Phillips County (12.34). The county's south-central location offers exceptional protection.
Wildfire poses secondary risk
Wildfire risk (64.12) is Saguache County's primary hazard, though still below state average for that category. Flood risk (17.46), earthquake risk (37.05), and tornado risk (7.95) all remain minimal.
Standard coverage with attention
Saguache County residents should maintain standard homeowners insurance with wildfire coverage as a sensible precaution. The county's low overall risk profile allows for more basic protection strategies than higher-hazard areas.