countyscore
33
County Score
Property Tax 62.5Cost of Living 51.2Weather & Climate 39.8

County Report Card

About San Juan County, New Mexico

Significant National Gap

San Juan County scores a 33.2 overall, placing it well behind the national median of 50.0. It ranks among the lower tiers of counties nationally across multiple categories.

Below the State Average

The county's 33.2 score sits well under the New Mexico average of 49.1. It highlights a need for improvement in public safety and healthcare access to reach state parity.

Moderate Taxes and Costs

Tax burden is manageable with a score of 66.1 and an effective rate of 0.675%. Housing costs are also mid-range, with a cost score of 50.1 and a median home value of $185,100.

Widespread Institutional Challenges

Low scores in risk (11.7), health (15.7), and safety (19.7) create a difficult environment for residents. These figures represent significant barriers to general wellness and community stability.

Best for Industrial Workers

San Juan County is most suitable for those working in local industries who can find housing at a reasonable price point. It attracts residents focused on local employment who are less concerned with high health and safety scores.

2040608010062.551.219.715.723.723.211.724.339.8Tax62.5Cost51.2Safety19.7Health15.7Schools23.7Income23.2Risk11.7Water24.3Weather39.833/100
This county
National avg
1 above average7 below average

San Juan County DNA

Foverall

How San Juan County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

San Juan County falls below the national average in most categories. The biggest gap is in Disaster Risk (11.7/100), though Property Tax (62.5/100) remains a relative bright spot.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
62.5+10.5
Cost
51.2
Safety
19.7-35.3
Health
15.7-34.3
Schools
23.7-30.3
Income
23.2-27.8
Risk
11.7-35.3
Water
24.3-33.7
Weather
39.8-16.200000000000003
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$193,800

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$956/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$193,800/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$38,240/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.5x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $55,872/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

48.7

per 100K

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

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Nearby counties

La Plata County
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45.4
Montezuma County
Colorado
43.4
Archuleta County
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56.1
Dolores County
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62.6
McKinley County
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28.5
San Juan County
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66.1
San Miguel County
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Hinsdale County
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Deep Dives

San Juan County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in San Juan County

via TaxByCounty

San Juan's taxes remain below national levels

San Juan County's effective tax rate of 0.675% is substantially lower than the national median, with homeowners paying $1,249 annually on the median property value. This represents approximately 54% less than the national median tax bill of $2,690, positioning San Juan among the more affordable counties nationwide.

San Juan slightly above state average

San Juan County's 0.675% rate exceeds New Mexico's state average of 0.595%, making it one of the higher-taxed counties in the state. However, the median tax of $1,249 is only 20% above the state median of $1,043, reflecting both the elevated rate and San Juan's higher median home values of $185,100.

San Juan leads region in tax rates

San Juan's 0.675% rate significantly exceeds Luna (0.576%), Otero (0.563%), and Roosevelt (0.436%), but remains far below McKinley's exceptional 1.889%. Among northwestern New Mexico counties, San Juan's rate reflects a deliberate policy to fund county services at above-state-average levels.

Median San Juan home: $1,249 annual tax

On San Juan's median home value of $185,100, property owners pay approximately $1,249 in annual taxes, reflecting both the county's elevated rate and higher property values. Homeowners with mortgages typically pay $1,371 after insurance and fees, while those owning outright pay around $1,024.

Challenge your assessment if overestimated

With San Juan's higher tax rates, any overvaluation in the assessment process carries meaningful financial consequences for homeowners. Request a free assessment review and file an appeal if your home's assessed value exceeds similar properties sold recently in your area.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in San Juan County

via IncomeByCounty

San Juan earns 29% below national median

San Juan County's median household income of $53,020 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by 29%, placing it solidly in America's lower-income tier. However, San Juan ranks among New Mexico's better-earning counties, benefiting from energy sector employment and some tourism revenue.

Upper earner among New Mexico counties

San Juan County ranks in the top third of New Mexico's 33 counties, with median household income of $53,020 just $2,449 below the state average of $55,469. Per capita income of $26,583 remains 18% below the state average, suggesting wealth concentration among higher earners.

Near-equal earner with Rio Arriba

San Juan's $53,020 median income nearly matches Rio Arriba ($53,901), and both substantially exceed Luna ($37,917), McKinley ($44,496), and Quay ($43,698). This similarity reflects comparable exposure to energy sector wages and government employment across the two northwestern counties.

Housing costs manageable despite high values

San Juan's rent-to-income ratio of 20.8% hovers just above the affordability threshold, though median home values of $185,100 are among the highest in this analysis. The county's higher incomes relative to state peers enable reasonable housing affordability despite elevated property values.

Build wealth on energy sector foundation

San Juan residents can leverage higher incomes to prioritize long-term wealth building through retirement savings, real estate equity, and investment diversification. Consider bolstering family financial security by exploring second income streams and ensuring adequate insurance coverage during energy sector economic cycles.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in San Juan County

via CrimeByCounty

San Juan County Safety Overview

San Juan County reports a total crime rate of 2091.2 per 100K, which is lower than the national average of 2,385.5. This results in a safety score of 96.7.

San Juan vs New Mexico Trends

The county's safety score of 96.7 is just below the state average of 97.4. Its total crime rate of 2091.2 is higher than the New Mexico average of 1638.5.

San Juan vs McKinley County

San Juan's crime rate of 2091.2 is slightly lower than McKinley's 2181.1. However, San Juan faces a higher violent crime rate compared to many of its neighbors.

Violent Crime Concerns in San Juan

The violent crime rate is significantly high at 659.3 per 100K, nearly double the national average of 369.8. Property crime is also prevalent at 1431.9 per 100K.

Prioritizing Personal and Home Safety

High violent crime rates make personal safety awareness and home security systems vital. Residents should work with the four local reporting agencies to stay informed about risks.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in San Juan County

via WeatherByCounty

Arid High Desert Extremes

San Juan County averages 52.3°F, falling slightly below the national median temperature. It is exceptionally dry, receiving only 9.2 inches of annual precipitation.

Drier Than the State Average

San Juan's 9.2 inches of annual precipitation is well below the New Mexico average of 14.0 inches. Its 52.3°F annual temperature is also slightly cooler than the state average of 54.8°F.

Cooler and Drier Than the South

San Juan is much drier than neighboring McKinley County, which receives 12.8 inches of rain. It also experiences 53 heat days, less than half of the 111 days recorded in southern Luna County.

Moderate Summers and Dry Winters

July averages 75.4°F with roughly 53 days of extreme heat per year. Winters are cold and dry, averaging 32.4°F with only 8.8 inches of annual snowfall.

Prioritize Water Conservation

With only 9.2 inches of rain, xeriscaping and water efficiency are essential for every household. Prepare for 53 days of heat above 90°F, but remember that winter nights frequently drop below freezing.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in San Juan County

via SoilByCounty

Arid High-Desert Identity

Specific identity and pH data for San Juan County are currently unavailable in the database. Like much of the Four Corners region, the soils are likely alkaline, requiring management strategies to keep the pH balanced for garden plants.

High-Desert Textural Variation

Percentages for sand, silt, and clay are not recorded for this specific area. The county's blend of mesas and river valleys suggests a high degree of textural diversity that can only be confirmed through site-specific testing.

Supporting Local Growth

Organic matter and available water capacity figures are missing from the current records. Local growers should focus on building up soil structure to meet the state average organic matter level of 1.27% for better garden results.

Water Management in the West

Comprehensive drainage data is currently unavailable for San Juan County. Given the arid climate, understanding how your soil handles irrigation water is the most important factor for preventing salt buildup and ensuring plant health.

River Valley Abundance in Zone 7a

San Juan County's hardiness zone 7a is perfect for growing apples, grapes, and various stone fruits. Even with limited data, the high-desert climate rewards gardeners who focus on soil health and take advantage of the sunny, warm days.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in San Juan County

via LawnByCounty

San Juan’s High-Desert Difficulty

With a score of 31.4, San Juan County is one of the few counties to exceed the New Mexico state average of 30.2. Despite this, the zone 7a climate remains much more challenging than the national median of 50.0.

The State’s Driest Lawn Conditions

The county receives just 9.2 inches of annual precipitation, making it the driest on this list. Lawns here depend almost entirely on irrigation to bridge the gap between 3148 growing degree days and the 53 extreme heat days.

Groundwork for Desert Turf

Specific soil data is missing for the county, but the arid landscape typically suggests a need for phosphorus and organic amendments. Testing your soil for drainage is critical given the severe lack of natural rainfall in this region.

Facing Critical Water Scarcity

A heavy 74.6% of San Juan County is in severe drought, and conditions have persisted for 53 weeks. To maintain a lawn, you must prioritize xeriscaping principles or high-efficiency drip systems to survive these extreme conditions.

Best Grasses for San Juan's 7a Zone

Buffalo grass is the most sustainable choice for this extremely dry climate. Plan to plant your seeds after the May 4 last frost so the lawn can establish before the first fall frost on October 15.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is San Juan County's county score?
San Juan County, New Mexico has a composite county score of 33 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 San Juan County rank among counties in New Mexico?
San Juan County ranks #29 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 San Juan County, New Mexico?
The median annual property tax in San Juan County is $1,317, with an effective tax rate of 0.68%. This earns San Juan County a tax score of 62.5/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in San Juan County?
The median household income in San Juan County, New Mexico is $55,872 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. San Juan County earns an income score of 23.2/100 on CountyScore.
Is San Juan County, New Mexico a good place to live?
San Juan County scores 33/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #29 in New Mexico. The best way to evaluate San Juan 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 San Juan 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.