CountyScore

Santa Fe County

New Mexico · NM

#28 in New Mexico
66
County Score

County Report Card

About Santa Fe County, New Mexico

Santa Fe well above national median

Santa Fe County scores 66.0, placing it 16 percentile points above the national median of 50.0. The county's exceptional tax efficiency and health performance drive its above-average livability ranking.

Solid middle performance in state

Santa Fe ranks in New Mexico's middle tier with a score of 66.0, slightly below the state average of 69.8. It trades some affordability for cultural amenities, health infrastructure, and the region's well-known quality of life.

Lowest taxes and best health care

Santa Fe boasts the lowest effective tax rate of all eight counties at 0.506% paired with the highest health score of 72.2. The county's median household income of $74,689 supports a vibrant cultural economy and professional services sector.

Housing costs are steep

The median home value of $416,900 is the highest in this group, with median rent at $1,318—reflecting Santa Fe's desirability and cultural prestige. The income score of 32.1 signals that while earnings are respectable, they don't fully offset housing expenses.

For culture seekers with stable income

Santa Fe County suits professionals, artists, and affluent retirees who value cultural institutions, outdoor recreation, and excellent healthcare over budget constraints. It's ideal for those with solid income or savings who want an intellectually vibrant, artsy community.

Score breakdown

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

Tax88Cost66.3SafetyComing SoonHealth72.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome32.1Risk14WaterComing Soon
🏛88
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠66.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼32.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤72.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡14
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 Santa Fe County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Craighead County
Arkansas
66
Median income: $57,615
Putnam County
Georgia
66
Median income: $64,163
Hendricks County
Indiana
66
Median income: $99,988
Boyd County
Kentucky
66
Median income: $60,659
Daviess County
Kentucky
66
Median income: $65,323

Deep Dives

Santa Fe County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Santa Fe County

via TaxByCounty

Santa Fe offers below-average tax rates

Santa Fe County's effective tax rate of 0.506% sits comfortably below the national median of 0.79%, placing it in the bottom fifth of U.S. counties. Despite a much higher median home value of $416,900 compared to the national average of $281,900, Santa Fe residents pay just $2,110 annually—below the national median of $2,690.

Santa Fe offers the state's lowest rate

Santa Fe County's 0.506% effective tax rate is the lowest in New Mexico, sitting 15% below the state average of 0.595%. This favorable rate benefits the county's affluent homeowners, who own properties worth significantly more than statewide averages yet pay manageable tax bills.

Santa Fe's taxes undercut even Taos

Santa Fe's 0.506% rate matches Taos County's remarkably low 0.329% as among New Mexico's most tax-friendly counties, though Santa Fe's higher home values ($416,900) generate larger absolute tax bills. Compared to Sandoval County's 0.760%, Santa Fe residents enjoy a 33% tax advantage.

Premium homes, reasonable tax bills

With a median home value of $416,900 and an effective tax rate of 0.506%, Santa Fe homeowners typically pay $2,110 annually. This relatively modest bill reflects the county's voter-approved tax structure, making it attractive to higher-value property owners.

Even Santa Fe homeowners should review assessments

Even in a tax-friendly county like Santa Fe, some homeowners carry inflated assessed values that exceed current market worth. A quick review of your assessment or an appeal to the county assessor could confirm you're not overpaying.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Santa Fe County

via CostByCounty

Santa Fe's cultural cache carries real costs

Santa Fe's 21.2% rent-to-income ratio exceeds the national average despite median household income nearly matching the U.S. figure ($74,689 vs. $74,755). The premium reflects the county's status as New Mexico's cultural and artistic hub, where demand drives housing prices skyward.

Most expensive housing market in New Mexico

Santa Fe ranks as New Mexico's priciest county, with a 21.2% rent-to-income ratio well above the state average of 19.4%. The county's median home value of $416,900 dwarfs all other New Mexico counties, reflecting decades of demand from artists, retirees, and affluent transplants.

Unmatched price premium among northern peers

Santa Fe's median rent of $1,318 stands second only to Sandoval's $1,408, yet home values ($416,900) far exceed any regional competitor. The county represents New Mexico's most exclusive housing market, appealing to those prioritizing cultural access over affordability.

Culture and history come at a premium price

Santa Fe households earning $74,689 annually allocate $1,318 monthly to rent (21.2% of income), the highest rent burden among northern counties. Homeowners face $1,183 monthly costs against properties averaging $416,900—a luxury market accessible primarily to affluent buyers.

Santa Fe rewards those who can afford art

Relocate to Santa Fe if cultural amenities and artistic communities justify premium housing costs exceeding $1,300 for renters. The county offers unparalleled lifestyle value for affluent newcomers; budget-conscious relocators should explore nearby Taos or San Miguel instead.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Santa Fe County

via IncomeByCounty

Santa Fe nearly matches national average

Santa Fe County's median household income of $74,689 sits virtually at the U.S. median of $74,755, representing typical American earning power. The county holds steady at the national baseline.

Well above New Mexico average

Santa Fe's median household income of $74,689 exceeds the state average of $55,469 by $19,220, ranking it among New Mexico's strongest income counties. Its per capita income of $48,908 leads the state by $16,306.

Outearns Taos, rivals Sandoval

Santa Fe's $74,689 income closely competes with Sandoval County ($84,053) and substantially exceeds Taos County ($58,908) by $15,781. The county benefits from tourism, government, and cultural economy strength.

Higher costs strain housing affordability

Santa Fe's rent-to-income ratio of 21.2% remains acceptable, but the median home value of $416,900 represents the region's highest cost. Households here spend more in absolute dollars on housing despite proportionally reasonable ratios.

Invest beyond primary residence

Santa Fe's healthy incomes and established wealth create room for real estate investment, stock portfolio diversification, and legacy planning. High earners here should explore tax-advantaged strategies like SEP IRAs or solo 401(k)s if self-employed.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Santa Fe County

via HealthByCounty

Santa Fe rivals national life expectancy

At 79.3 years, Santa Fe County matches or slightly exceeds the U.S. life expectancy benchmark of 79 years, making it a longevity outlier in New Mexico. The county's 15.8% poor or fair health rate aligns closely with the national average, indicating above-average wellness across its population.

New Mexico's healthiest county

Santa Fe's 79.3-year life expectancy towers 5.6 years above New Mexico's 73.7-year average, making it the state's clear health leader. Though its 12.1% uninsured rate edges above the state average of 10.2%, strong healthcare infrastructure and resources compensate for this gap.

Dominant advantage across metrics

Santa Fe's 79.3-year life expectancy and 15.8% poor/fair health rate significantly outpace every neighboring county, including Taos (76.5 years) and Sandoval (76.8 years). The county's 110 primary care providers per 100,000 residents leads the entire region by a wide margin.

Premium access meets coverage gaps

Santa Fe offers the most robust primary and mental health provider networks in the region, with 110 primary care and 802 mental health providers per 100,000 residents. Yet 12.1% of residents lack insurance—the highest rate among affluent counties analyzed—suggesting income inequality or eligibility barriers despite abundant resources.

Don't miss out on coverage

Even in Santa Fe's health-rich environment, over 1 in 8 residents remain uninsured, often due to cost or enrollment confusion. Check Healthcare.gov or New Mexico's marketplace to find plans, Medicaid expansion, and subsidies—your health is worth the enrollment step.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Santa Fe County

via RiskByCounty

Santa Fe faces above-average U.S. risk

Santa Fe County's composite risk score of 85.97 and 'Relatively Moderate' rating reflect meaningful exposure to multiple natural hazards beyond the typical U.S. county profile. The county's elevation and geography create compounded risks across wildfires, floods, and earthquakes.

Highest risk in New Mexico

Santa Fe County ranks as the riskiest county in New Mexico with a score of 85.97, significantly exceeding the state average of 58.92. The county's composite score reflects extreme wildfire (98.19) and high earthquake (89.50) and flood (88.36) risks.

Notably riskier than surrounding counties

Santa Fe's 85.97 score substantially exceeds Taos (74.27) and San Miguel (74.59), making it the region's highest-risk county. The gap widens dramatically compared to lower-elevation southern counties like Torrance (46.15), highlighting the elevation and forest cover effect.

Wildfires, earthquakes, and floods converge

Wildfire risk reaches 98.19—the highest in the state—driven by dense forestland and dry conditions, as demonstrated by recent major fires like the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon fire. Earthquake risk of 89.50 and flood risk of 88.36 create additional compounded exposure that affects property throughout the county.

Comprehensive coverage is non-negotiable

Santa Fe residents must prioritize earthquake insurance and separate flood coverage alongside standard homeowners policies, given the county's multiple high-risk hazards. Professional defensible-space management around structures—especially clearing within 100 feet—is critical mitigation for the county's extreme wildfire risk of 98.19.

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.