CountyScore

San Miguel County

New Mexico · NM

#14 in New Mexico
70.3
County Score

County Report Card

About San Miguel County, New Mexico

San Miguel outpaces the nation

San Miguel County scores 70.3 out of 100 on overall livability, well above the national median of 50.0. This places the county in the top 40% nationally, reflecting strong affordability and tax advantages that benefit residents.

Slightly above New Mexico average

San Miguel ranks in the middle tier of New Mexico counties with a composite score of 70.3, just edging out the state average of 69.8. The county competes directly with peers like Socorro and Taos in overall livability metrics.

Taxes and affordability shine

San Miguel excels in tax efficiency with a score of 86.6 and boasts an exceptionally low effective tax rate of 0.558%. Housing remains remarkably affordable at a median home value of $177,600 and median rent of just $774 per month, making it one of New Mexico's most budget-friendly counties.

Income and economic opportunity lag

The county's income score of 14.3 reflects a median household income of $47,400, significantly below state and national norms. Environmental risk scores also trail, suggesting residents should understand flood, wildfire, or seismic exposure before moving.

Ideal for retirees and remote workers

San Miguel County suits anyone prioritizing low taxes, minimal housing costs, and a quiet lifestyle over higher earning potential. It's particularly attractive to remote workers, retirees on fixed incomes, and families seeking rural New Mexico living without financial strain.

Score breakdown

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

Tax86.6Cost86.5SafetyComing SoonHealth66SchoolsComing SoonIncome14.3Risk25.4WaterComing Soon
🏛86.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠86.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼14.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤66
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡25.4
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

Petersburg Borough
Alaska
70.3
Median income: $77,026
Trinity County
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70.3
Median income: $53,498
Johnson County
Georgia
70.3
Median income: $54,183
Pulaski County
Georgia
70.3
Median income: $47,688
Webster County
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70.3
Median income: $40,764

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's tax rate ranks low nationally

San Miguel County's effective tax rate of 0.558% sits well below the national median of 0.79%, putting it in the bottom third of U.S. counties. At just $991 in annual property taxes on a median home, residents here pay about 63% less than the national median of $2,690.

Middle of the pack in New Mexico

San Miguel's 0.558% rate runs slightly below New Mexico's state average of 0.595%, landing it in the middle tier of the state's 33 counties. The median tax bill of $991 is below the state average of $1,043, reflecting both lower rates and more modest home values.

Lower taxes than most regional peers

San Miguel's 0.558% rate beats Sandoval County (0.760%) and nearly matches Socorro County (0.553%), though it falls short of Taos County's remarkably low 0.329%. Among its mountain region neighbors, San Miguel offers moderate tax burdens with property values and rates that reflect rural northern New Mexico.

Expect roughly $991 annually

On San Miguel's median home value of $177,600, the effective tax rate of 0.558% translates to about $991 per year in property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages typically pay $1,154 annually when factoring in county assessments, while those without mortgages pay around $889.

Many San Miguel homeowners could appeal

Across New Mexico, thousands of homeowners are overassessed relative to market values, and San Miguel is no exception. If you believe your home's assessed value exceeds its true market worth, an appeal to the county assessor's office could reduce your tax burden.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in San Miguel County

via CostByCounty

San Miguel rents bite slightly harder nationally

At 19.6%, San Miguel's rent-to-income ratio nearly matches the national baseline, but residents here earn $27,355 less annually than the U.S. median of $74,755. The county sits just above New Mexico's state average of 19.4%, suggesting housing costs are typical for the region despite lower incomes.

Middle of the pack in New Mexico affordability

San Miguel ranks near the middle among New Mexico's counties for housing affordability, with a rent-to-income ratio of 19.6% compared to the state average of 19.4%. This narrow margin masks the real challenge: lower household incomes relative to housing costs.

Cheaper rents than mountain neighbors

San Miguel's median rent of $774 undercuts Santa Fe County ($1,318) and Taos County ($1,069) significantly, making it the most affordable option for renters in the north-central region. However, median home values ($177,600) remain substantial for an area with $47,400 median household income.

Rent claims a steady slice of paychecks

The typical San Miguel household spends $774 monthly on rent against a $47,400 annual income, leaving substantial funds for other expenses. Homeowners fare better, with median monthly costs of just $531, making ownership the affordability advantage in this county.

Consider San Miguel for balanced rural living

If you're relocating to northern New Mexico, San Miguel offers lower housing costs than Santa Fe or Taos without sacrificing regional character. The county's rent-to-income ratio stays competitive with state averages, making it a practical choice for budget-conscious newcomers.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in San Miguel County

via IncomeByCounty

San Miguel trails national income average

San Miguel County's median household income of $47,400 falls roughly 37% below the U.S. median of $74,755. This places the county in the lower income tier nationally, suggesting limited earning power compared to most American households.

Below average for New Mexico

San Miguel ranks in the lower half of New Mexico's counties with a median household income $8,069 below the state average of $55,469. The county's per capita income of $28,140 also lags the state benchmark of $32,602.

Comparable to Socorro, outpaced by Taos

San Miguel's $47,400 income nearly matches Socorro County ($47,556) but falls short of nearby Taos County ($58,908) by about $11,500. Among the region's rural counties, San Miguel sits in the middle of the income distribution.

Rent remains manageable here

San Miguel's rent-to-income ratio of 19.6% is the healthiest in this group and well below the 30% affordability threshold, meaning housing costs stay manageable. The median home value of $177,600 remains accessible relative to household earnings.

Build financial security intentionally

With modest household incomes, San Miguel residents benefit from prioritizing emergency savings and low-cost investment vehicles like employer 401(k)s and IRAs. Even small, consistent contributions compound significantly over time and build long-term wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in San Miguel County

via HealthByCounty

San Miguel's life expectancy trails nation

At 74.1 years, San Miguel County residents live about 5 years less than the U.S. average of 79 years. The county's 21.5% poor or fair health rating is notably higher than the national average of roughly 15%, signaling broader health challenges across the population.

Slightly ahead of state average

San Miguel's 74.1-year life expectancy edges past New Mexico's state average of 73.7 years, placing it in the middle tier of state health outcomes. The county's 21.5% poor/fair health rate mirrors statewide struggles, though its 8.6% uninsured rate beats the state average of 10.2%.

Competitive but not leading in region

San Miguel outperforms nearby Socorro County (71.0 years) and Torrance County (72.8 years), but trails Taos County (76.5 years) and Sandoval County (76.8 years). The county's 48 primary care providers per 100,000 residents falls below regional leaders like Taos (87 per 100K) and Santa Fe (110 per 100K).

Better uninsured access, modest provider supply

With only 8.6% of residents uninsured—below the state average—San Miguel has stronger insurance coverage than most New Mexico counties. However, 48 primary care providers per 100,000 residents means residents may travel for specialist care, and the county's 1,102 mental health providers per 100K masks geographic concentration issues.

Check your coverage options today

San Miguel's low uninsured rate shows the power of enrollment, but nearly 1 in 11 residents still lack coverage. Visit Healthcare.gov or New Mexico's marketplace to explore Medicaid, plans, and subsidies—your neighbors are already enrolled.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in San Miguel County

via RiskByCounty

San Miguel's risk outpaces national average

With a composite risk score of 74.59, San Miguel County faces above-average natural disaster risk compared to U.S. counties overall. The county's 'Relatively Low' rating reflects meaningful exposure to certain hazards, particularly wildfire and flood events that affect the broader Southwest region.

Mid-tier risk in New Mexico

San Miguel ranks in the middle of New Mexico's county risk profile, with a composite score of 74.59 against the state average of 58.92. This places the county above the state median, driven by elevated wildfire and flood vulnerabilities common across northern New Mexico.

Less risky than Santa Fe, similar to Taos

San Miguel's risk profile sits between safer southern counties like Torrance (46.15) and higher-risk Santa Fe (85.97). The county shares similar wildfire (97.30) and flood (83.37) concerns with nearby Taos County, reflecting shared geography and climate patterns.

Wildfires and floods dominate here

Wildfire risk scores exceptionally high at 97.30, making forest fires San Miguel's most pressing hazard—critical given the county's mixed woodlands and populated valleys. Flood risk of 83.37 compounds concerns during monsoon season and snowmelt, particularly in low-lying areas near waterways.

Prioritize wildfire and flood coverage

Homeowners should verify that standard policies cover wildfire damage and consider separate flood insurance, as many standard policies exclude it. Creating defensible space around structures—clearing brush within 30 feet—is as critical as ensuring adequate coverage for San Miguel's highest risks.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.