countyscore
45.9
County Score
Cost of Living 80.7Property Tax 79.5Weather & Climate 45.9

County Report Card

About San Miguel County, New Mexico

Falling Just Below National Norms

San Miguel County earns a composite score of 45.9, placing it slightly below the national median of 50.0. This score reflects a mix of high affordability and significant economic hurdles relative to the rest of the country.

Trailing the New Mexico Average

The county's overall score sits below the New Mexico state average of 49.1. While it excels in some areas, it ranks lower than many of its statewide peers in economic and infrastructure metrics.

A Haven for Affordability

San Miguel shines in cost of living with a score of 80.7 and a median gross rent of just $774. Residents also benefit from a low 0.558% effective tax rate, resulting in a strong tax score of 79.5.

Economic and Infrastructure Gaps

The county faces challenges in water security with a low score of 4.0 and an income score of only 10.1. Median household income currently stands at $47,400, which is below national standards.

Best for Budget-Conscious Residents

This county is ideal for individuals or retirees who prioritize low housing costs and low taxes over high local wages. It suits those who value a quiet, affordable lifestyle in a historic setting.

2040608010079.580.726.942.121.110.125.4445.9Tax79.5Cost80.7Safety26.9Health42.1Schools21.1Income10.1Risk25.4Water4Weather45.945.9/100
This county
National avg
2 above average6 below average

San Miguel County DNA

Foverall

How San Miguel County compares to the national average across 9 dimensions

San Miguel County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Cost of Living (80.7/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (4/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
79.5+27.5
Cost
80.7+32.7
Safety
26.9-28.1
Health
42.1
Schools
21.1-32.9
Income
10.1-40.9
Risk
25.4-21.6
Water
4-54
Weather
45.9-10.100000000000001
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$177,600

National median: $174,650

Median Rent

$774/mo

National median: $854/mo

Income Needed (home)

$177,600/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$30,960/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.7x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $47,400/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

40.7

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

Mora County
New Mexico
63.5
Harding County
New Mexico
71.2
Guadalupe County
New Mexico
60.1
Quay County
New Mexico
53.3
De Baca County
New Mexico
58.6
Colfax County
New Mexico
54.4
Santa Fe County
New Mexico
35.3
Union County
New Mexico
60.8

Deep Dives

San Miguel County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 11 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

Safety in San Miguel County

via CrimeByCounty

San Miguel Stays Safer Than National Average

San Miguel County's total crime rate of 1778.5 per 100K is well below the national average of 2,385.5. The county maintains a safety score of 97.2.

San Miguel vs the State Average

The county's safety score of 97.2 is nearly identical to the state average of 97.4. However, its total crime rate is slightly higher than the New Mexico average of 1638.5.

San Miguel vs Mora County

San Miguel's crime rate of 1778.5 is much higher than Mora County's 855.5. Three agencies report data for the county, providing a balanced view of local safety.

A Look at Crime Categories

Violent crime is 492.4 per 100K, which is higher than the national average of 369.8. Property crime makes up the majority of reports at 1286.1 per 100K.

Enhancing Security for Your Property

Residents should invest in home security to combat the 1286.1 property crime rate. Keeping valuables out of sight and using outdoor cameras are effective deterrents.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Schools in San Miguel County

via SchoolsByCounty

A Three-District Educational Foundation

San Miguel County operates 19 public schools across three distinct districts, serving a total of 3,268 students. The infrastructure includes nine elementary, six middle, and four high schools that anchor the local community.

Graduation Rates Outpace State Benchmarks

The county's 79.3% graduation rate slightly exceeds the New Mexico state average of 79.0%, though it remains below the national 87.0% benchmark. While per-pupil spending of $6,799 is lower than the state average of $7,957, the county maintains a competitive school score of 47.5.

West Las Vegas Leads Local Districts

West Las Vegas Public Schools stands as the largest district, educating 1,555 students across 10 schools. Las Vegas City Public Schools follows closely with 1,202 students, while Pecos Independent Schools manages three schools in the region.

Small-Town Feel with Accessible Schools

Most students attend one of the 13 town-based schools, where the average enrollment is a manageable 182 students per campus. Robertson High is the county's largest institution with 402 students, providing a personalized learning environment compared to massive urban high schools.

Find a Home Near Las Vegas Schools

Families looking for a close-knit educational community often gravitate toward homes near Robertson High or West Las Vegas High. Consider school district boundaries as a primary factor when exploring the historic residential options in San Miguel County.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

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

Water Quality in San Miguel County

via WaterByCounty

Severe Compliance Challenges in San Miguel

San Miguel County earns an F grade with 203 health violations recorded over five years. The violation rate of 985.6 per 100,000 residents is more than double the New Mexico average of 475.7.

Watershed Impairments Exceed State Averages

Thirty-one percent of assessed water bodies fail to meet Clean Water Act standards, compared to the state average of 20.0%. The 2022 reporting cycle identifies temperature, nutrients, and benthic macroinvertebrates as the primary causes of impairment.

Moderate Monitoring Across 34 Sites

A network of 34 monitoring sites has generated 5,941 measurements over the last five years. These records focus heavily on physical characteristics, organics, and pesticides to track local water quality.

Canadian River Flows Near Record Lows

The Canadian River near Sanchez currently flows at just 6 cfs, representing a mere 4% of its long-term mean. This discharge is significantly lower than the 151 cfs typically seen at this 6,015 square mile drainage point.

Prioritize Filtration During Low Flow

With violations high and streamflow critically low, residents should use certified filters to remove concentrated nutrients and organics. Low river volumes often exacerbate existing watershed impairments and system vulnerabilities.

Full water quality analysis on WaterByCounty

Weather & Climate in San Miguel County

via WeatherByCounty

Moderate Temperatures in the High Plains

San Miguel County's annual average temperature of 52.8°F aligns closely with the national median. Its semi-arid climate receives 16.2 inches of precipitation, making it wetter than the typical New Mexico county.

Cooler Than the State Average

The county's annual temperature sits 2 degrees below the New Mexico state average of 54.8°F. It ranks among the cooler regions in the state due to its high-elevation terrain.

Milder Winters Than Northern Neighbors

San Miguel averages 20.4 inches of snow, which is less than the 24.8 inches found in neighboring Santa Fe County. However, its July average of 72.4°F makes it warmer than the high-altitude peaks of Taos.

Mild Summers and Crisp Winters

Summers stay pleasant with a July average of 72.4°F, though the area still experiences 41 days above 90°F. Winter averages stay just above freezing at 35.5°F during the coldest months.

Prepare for Snow and Sun

Residents should invest in reliable heating for the 34.6°F January lows. Snow removal gear is necessary for the 20.4 inches of annual accumulation that typically hits the region.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in San Miguel County

via SoilByCounty

High-Altitude Soil Identity

Specific pH and taxonomic data are currently unmapped for this region. Most local soils trend alkaline, likely exceeding the national median pH of 6.5 and aligning with the state average of 7.48.

Navigating Texture and Drainage

Precise sand, silt, and clay percentages are unavailable in current surveys. Gardeners should perform a jar test to determine if they are working with the sandy loams common to New Mexico's northern mountains.

Building High-Desert Fertility

With no recorded local data for organic matter, the state average of 1.27% serves as your primary benchmark. Focus on increasing water capacity to help plants survive the intense high-altitude sunlight.

Understanding Local Water Flow

Dominant drainage classes and hydrologic groups remain undocumented for these specific soils. Observe how your landscape handles snowmelt and monsoon rains to identify natural drainage patterns on your property.

Hardy Crops for Zone 6b

San Miguel County sits in Hardiness Zone 6b, favoring cold-hardy perennials and short-season vegetables. Start a garden with kale, garlic, and native shrubs to master the challenging mountain climate.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in San Miguel County

via LawnByCounty

Managing High-Altitude Lawns in San Miguel

San Miguel holds a lawn difficulty score of 33.5, making it slightly easier than the New Mexico average but well below the national median of 50.0. This Hardiness Zone 6b region requires more intervention than the lush landscapes found in wetter states.

Dry Air and Moderate Summer Heat

With 16.2 inches of annual precipitation, the county receives more rain than the state average but falls far short of the 30-50 inches needed for ideal growth. You manage 41 extreme heat days a year, which demands a careful irrigation schedule during peak summer.

Custom Soil Testing for Best Results

Comprehensive soil data for this area is currently limited, requiring homeowners to perform individual site tests. Most gardeners here should focus on amending for potential alkaline conditions or drainage issues common to the region.

Navigating 43 Weeks of Constant Drought

You faced drought conditions for 43 weeks over the past year, with nearly 60% of the area currently classified as abnormally dry. Focus on deep, infrequent watering to encourage root growth rather than shallow daily sprays.

Successful Planting for Zone 6b

Buffalo grass or blue grama thrive in Zone 6b and handle the local climate with minimal water once established. Plan to seed after the last frost on May 10 to give your lawn a strong head start.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is San Miguel County's county score?
San Miguel County, New Mexico has a composite county score of 45.9 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 Miguel County rank among counties in New Mexico?
San Miguel County ranks #20 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 Miguel County, New Mexico?
The median annual property tax in San Miguel County is $991, with an effective tax rate of 0.56%. This earns San Miguel County a tax score of 79.5/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in San Miguel County?
The median household income in San Miguel County, New Mexico is $47,400 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. San Miguel County earns an income score of 10.1/100 on CountyScore.
Is San Miguel County, New Mexico a good place to live?
San Miguel County scores 45.9/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #20 in New Mexico. The best way to evaluate San Miguel 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 Miguel County with other counties side by side.
By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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.