CountyScore

San Miguel County

Colorado · CO

#13 in Colorado
76
County Score

County Report Card

About San Miguel County, Colorado

San Miguel Holds Strong Nationally

San Miguel County's 71.9 composite score nearly matches the national median, placing it above the 50.0 baseline and in the better half of American counties. The county demonstrates solid livability fundamentals across its measured dimensions.

Right at Colorado's Center of Gravity

San Miguel's 71.9 score essentially mirrors the Colorado state average of 71.8, making it a textbook representative of the state's typical county performance. Neither standout nor lagging, it reflects the middle ground of livability across Colorado.

Lowest Tax Rate in the Group

San Miguel leads with a 94.9 tax score and the lowest effective tax rate at just 0.261%, making it the most tax-favorable among these eight counties. Higher median incomes of $80,117 add purchasing power without offsetting the tax advantage.

Housing Affordability and Limited Data

The cost score of 63.7 reflects a challenging housing market, with median home values reaching $613,100 and median rent at $1,173/month. Critical dimensions including safety, health, schools, and water quality lack data, limiting a full livability picture.

Ideal for Tax-Savvy Higher Earners

San Miguel County appeals to households with solid incomes seeking minimal tax obligations and don't mind premium housing costs. The county works best for affluent individuals and families who value fiscal efficiency in a mountain setting.

Score breakdown

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

Tax94.9Cost63.7SafetyComing SoonHealth85.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome35.7Risk80.9WaterComing Soon
🏛94.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠63.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼35.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤85.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡80.9
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 San Miguel County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Sedgwick County
Colorado
76
Median income: $52,833
Camas County
Idaho
76
Median income: $55,536
Tipton County
Indiana
76
Median income: $78,309
Elliott County
Kentucky
76
Median income: $40,074
Meagher County
Montana
76
Median income: $56,215

Deep Dives

San Miguel County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in San Miguel County

via TaxByCounty

San Miguel taxes far below national levels

San Miguel County's effective tax rate of 0.261% ranks in the bottom 10% nationally, meaning homeowners here pay far less than the $2,690 national median tax despite owning properties worth 117% more than the national average. This county offers exceptional tax efficiency for high-value homes.

Second-lowest tax rate in Colorado

San Miguel County's 0.261% effective rate is Colorado's second-lowest, trailing only San Juan County's 0.294%. At $1,599 median annual taxes, San Miguel residents enjoy rates 34% below the state average of 0.393%.

Regional tax champion for high-value homes

San Miguel County's 0.261% rate beats neighboring San Juan County's 0.294%, making it Colorado's lowest-taxed county overall. This advantage matters most for the county's affluent residents, whose median home value of $613,100 is the highest in this eight-county comparison.

Median annual tax: under $1,600

On San Miguel County's median home value of $613,100, residents pay just $1,599 annually—remarkably low for such expensive properties. This equates to less than $133 per month, among the nation's lowest tax burdens for high-value real estate.

Appeal overassessments today

San Miguel County homeowners frequently discover their properties are assessed above fair market value, creating appeal opportunities. Given the county's low tax rate, even modest assessment reductions can yield meaningful annual savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in San Miguel County

via CostByCounty

San Miguel keeps housing costs reasonable

San Miguel County's 17.6% rent-to-income ratio rivals the nation's most affordable housing markets, slightly below the national average. Residents earning $80,117 median income spend just $1,173 monthly on rent, only $80 above Colorado's state average despite mountain-region living.

Second-tier affordability in Colorado

San Miguel's 17.6% rent-to-income ratio places it comfortably below Colorado's 20.2% state average, ranking among the more affordable counties. The county's higher median income of $80,117 gives households a cushion that many Colorado counties lack.

Pricier than nearby San Juan, cheaper than Summit

San Miguel's $1,173 rent sits $97 above San Juan County but nearly $700 below Summit County's mountain premium of $1,851. For homebuyers, San Miguel's $613,100 median home value positions it as the priciest in this mountain cluster, reflecting its desirability and higher household incomes.

Owners bear the heavier burden here

San Miguel renters pay $1,173 monthly, but homeowners face a steeper $1,531 cost, reflecting the county's higher property values and ownership expenses. With median income of $80,117, renters allocate 17.6% to housing while owners dedicate 23%—a meaningful gap that favors renting for budget-conscious households.

Mountain charm without the price tag

San Miguel County offers Colorado mountain living at more rational costs than Summit or Telluride-adjacent areas, with an $80,117 median income supporting both renting and ownership. If you earn in this range, test your budget: $1,173 rent or a $613,100 home purchase could both work depending on your down payment and savings.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in San Miguel County

via IncomeByCounty

San Miguel outearns the nation

San Miguel County's median household income of $80,117 exceeds the national median of $74,755 by $5,362, placing this county in the upper-middle tier of American earning power. The county's per capita income of $64,164 nearly matches the state average, reflecting strong individual earnings across the community.

Above-average earner in Colorado

San Miguel County ranks in the upper third of Colorado's 64 counties with a median household income of $80,117, outpacing the state average of $74,792 by $5,325. Its per capita income of $64,164 significantly exceeds Colorado's state average of $43,584, indicating robust individual earnings.

Wealthy regional player

San Miguel's $80,117 median household income trails only Summit County's $106,255 among nearby mountain communities, but substantially exceeds the state average. The county's elevated per capita income of $64,164 suggests more equitable wealth distribution than many affluent Colorado regions.

Higher incomes face steep housing costs

Despite strong earnings at $80,117, San Miguel's rent-to-income ratio of 17.6% remains healthy, though the median home value of $613,100 demands significant household commitment. Buyers here typically allocate substantial portions of income to housing, requiring careful financial planning.

Leverage above-average earnings strategically

San Miguel households earning $80,117 enjoy above-national-average income that creates strong wealth-building capacity beyond housing costs. Prioritize diversified investments, retirement optimization, and long-term wealth strategies that compound your regional earning advantage.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in San Miguel County

via HealthByCounty

San Miguel leads nation in longevity

San Miguel County residents live to an average of 86.5 years—a full decade longer than the national average of 76.4 years, making it one of America's healthiest communities. Just 12.4% report poor or fair health, well below the U.S. average of 13%, suggesting exceptional wellness across the population.

Colorado's longevity champion

At 86.5 years, San Miguel's life expectancy towers 8.3 years above Colorado's state average of 78.2 years. Only a handful of Colorado counties rival this achievement, positioning San Miguel among the state's most resilient health communities.

Outpacing even Summit County

San Miguel's 86.5-year life expectancy trails only Summit County (92.4 years) among Colorado's high-altitude communities. With 12.4% in poor/fair health—below state average—San Miguel achieves rare balance between challenging terrain and exceptional longevity.

Strong coverage, solid care access

San Miguel's 7.5% uninsured rate beats Colorado's state average of 9.7%, meaning most residents have healthcare access when they need it. The county offers 87 primary care providers per 100,000 and 331 mental health providers per 100,000, supporting preventive care and behavioral health needs.

Keep coverage strong year-round

San Miguel's high insurance rate reflects a community engaged with healthcare—maintain that advantage by reviewing your coverage annually. Visit connectforhealthco.com to ensure your plan still fits your needs and family situation.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in San Miguel County

via RiskByCounty

San Miguel's risk is nearly half the national average

At 19.12, San Miguel County's composite risk score earns a Very Low rating and sits well below the national average. The county remains among America's safer jurisdictions for natural disaster exposure.

Mid-range risk within Colorado

San Miguel's 19.12 score is less than half the Colorado state average of 40.67, reflecting notably lower overall hazard exposure. The county ranks in the lower-to-middle tier among its peers statewide.

Less risky than mountain neighbors

San Miguel scores lower than Summit County (60.21) and Teller County (38.84), but higher than nearby San Juan (10.69) and Sedgwick (6.52). It represents a moderate risk profile for the southwestern Colorado region.

Wildfire dominates, followed by flooding

Wildfire risk (80.12) is San Miguel's primary concern, ranking very high on the county's hazard profile. Flooding (31.55) and earthquake (31.36) risks are moderate, while tornadoes (3.40) pose minimal threat.

Wildfire insurance is essential here

San Miguel's elevated wildfire score (80.12) makes it critical to ensure your homeowner's policy covers fire damage or to add a wildfire rider. Flood insurance is also advisable given moderate flood risk; residents in mapped flood zones should verify coverage through their lender or agent.

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.