countyscore
53
County Score
Cost of Living 90.3Property Tax 82.6Weather & Climate 55.1

County Report Card

About Sierra County, New Mexico

Exceeding the National Median

Sierra County achieves a composite score of 53.1, placing it above the national median of 50.0. It offers a quality of life that ranks in the upper half of U.S. counties.

A Strong New Mexico Performer

The county's 53.1 score comfortably beats the state average of 49.1. It ranks as a reliable option for New Mexicans looking for a stable and affordable community.

Premier Housing Affordability

Housing is exceptionally accessible here, earning a cost score of 91.9 with median home values of $144,800. Low property taxes also contribute to a high tax score of 80.9.

Low Local Wages and Water

Economic growth is limited, as evidenced by an income score of 2.0 and a $37,840 median income. Water security also remains a concern with a score of 7.4.

Perfect for Fixed-Income Retirees

Sierra County is an ideal destination for retirees or those on a fixed budget who want to minimize expenses. It offers great value for those who do not rely on the local job market.

2040608010082.690.335.93047.53.144.27.455.1Tax82.6Cost90.3Safety35.9Health30Schools47.5Income3.1Risk44.2Water7.4Weather55.153/100
This county
National avg
2 above average4 below average

Sierra County DNA

Foverall

How Sierra County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Sierra County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Cost of Living (90.3/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (7.4/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
82.6+30.599999999999994
Cost
90.3+42.3
Safety
35.9-19.1
Health
30-20
Schools
47.5
Income
3.1-47.9
Risk
44.2
Water
7.4-50.6
Weather
55.1
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Sierra County?

Many homeowners in Sierra County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

Check My Assessment

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$152,600

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$729/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$152,600/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$29,160/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.7x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $41,600/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

17.4

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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Counties with similar scores

Sierra County
California
Median income: $63,355
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Plaquemines Parish
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Benzie County
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Nearby counties

Grant County
New Mexico
61.4
Doña Ana County
New Mexico
40.9
Luna County
New Mexico
60.5
Socorro County
New Mexico
52.3
Catron County
New Mexico
64.3
Otero County
New Mexico
44
Hidalgo County
New Mexico
54
Lincoln County
New Mexico
57.5

Deep Dives

Sierra County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Sierra County

via TaxByCounty

Sierra County offers very low tax rates

Sierra County's effective tax rate of 0.548% falls well below the national median of 0.79%, placing it in the bottom third of U.S. counties for tax burden. At just $793 in annual property taxes on a median home valued at $144,800, Sierra residents enjoy some of the nation's most modest property tax bills.

Below-average taxes in New Mexico

Sierra County's 0.548% rate runs slightly below New Mexico's state average of 0.595%, landing it in the lower tier of state counties. The median tax bill of $793 is roughly 24% below the state average of $1,043, reflecting both low rates and rural home values.

Sierra taxes similar to Socorro and San Miguel

Sierra's 0.548% rate closely matches Socorro County (0.553%) and San Miguel County (0.558%), grouping these rural southern counties as moderate-tax jurisdictions. All three substantially undercut Sandoval County (0.760%) and offer lower absolute taxes than more developed areas like Santa Fe.

Annual property taxes average $793

On Sierra County's median home value of $144,800, the effective tax rate of 0.548% translates to approximately $793 per year in property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages typically pay $880 annually, while those without mortgages pay around $755.

Verify your assessment for accuracy

Even with Sierra County's already-low tax rates, some homeowners may still be overassessed relative to their home's market value. Filing an appeal with the county assessor is free and could provide additional savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Sierra County

via IncomeByCounty

Sierra faces steep national income gap

Sierra County's median household income of $37,840 lags the U.S. median of $74,755 by $36,915—nearly 50% below national average. The county ranks among the lowest-income areas in the nation.

New Mexico's lowest-income county

Sierra County's median household income of $37,840 falls $17,629 below New Mexico's state average of $55,469. Its per capita income of $24,882 also ranks lowest in the state, nearly $8,000 below the state mean.

Significantly behind all surrounding counties

Sierra's $37,840 trails every neighboring county profiled, with the nearest rival, Torrance County, earning $8,410 more. The economic gap reflects rural isolation and limited employment opportunities.

Housing absorbs significant income share

Sierra County's rent-to-income ratio of 22.0% is the highest in this group, indicating housing costs consume a larger percentage of already-limited earnings. Median home value of $144,800 remains modest but represents substantial burden relative to income.

Every dollar counts toward security

Sierra County residents benefit most from targeting emergency savings first—three to six months of expenses—before investing. Low-cost automated savings plans and employer matches, if available, build wealth steadily even from modest incomes.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Sierra County

via CrimeByCounty

Sierra County remains safer than national average

Sierra County earns a safety score of 97.7, reflecting a total crime rate of 1,486.2 per 100,000 residents. This is notably lower than the national total crime rate of 2,385.5.

Exceeding state safety benchmarks

The county's safety score of 97.7 is slightly higher than the New Mexico average of 97.4. Its total crime rate of 1,486.2 also beats the state average of 1,638.5.

Comparing Sierra to Socorro County

Sierra's crime rate of 1,486.2 is higher than Socorro County's 850.9. However, it remains much safer than Valencia County, which sees over 3,000 incidents per 100K.

Theft outpaces violent crime

The violent crime rate is 226.0 per 100K, while property crime is much higher at 1,260.2. This indicates that property-related offenses are the main driver of crime in the area.

Secure your property in Sierra

Since property crime is the most frequent issue, focus on securing outbuildings and main residences. Simple preventative measures can greatly reduce the risk of theft.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Sierra County

via WeatherByCounty

Hotter Than the National Average

Sierra County's 60.3°F annual temperature is significantly warmer than the national median. It receives only 11.0 inches of precipitation, well below the national average.

One of New Mexico's Warmest Spots

At 60.3°F, Sierra County is much warmer than the state average of 54.8°F. It is characterized by high heat and very little winter precipitation.

Warmer and Drier Than Neighbors

With 85 days above 90°F, Sierra is hotter than Socorro to the north. It receives only 3.4 inches of snow, which is less than half of what Socorro experiences.

Intense Summer Heat and Minimal Snow

July averages a hot 79.5°F, contributing to 85 extreme heat days each year. Winters remain mild compared to the rest of the state, with an average of 42.7°F.

Prioritize Cooling and Sun Protection

High-efficiency air conditioning is a necessity to survive 85 days above 90°F. Residents can skip the heavy winter gear, as the county only sees 3.4 inches of snow.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Sierra County

via SoilByCounty

Southern Desert Soil Traits

Taxonomic order and pH levels for Sierra County are currently unrecorded. These desert soils are generally alkaline and likely exceed the national median pH of 6.5, characteristic of the southern Rio Grande valley.

Texture and Drainage Mix

Precise sand, silt, and clay data are missing for this region. Local terrain suggests a mix of coarse sands and fine silts that require careful management to ensure proper drainage and aeration.

Evaluating Soil Health

Organic matter and available water capacity data remain unmapped for the county. Aiming for an organic matter content above the state average of 1.27% will significantly improve your garden's nutrient retention.

Regional Water Dynamics

Official drainage classes and hydrologic groups are not documented for this area. Since formal data is unavailable, observing how water infiltrates after irrigation is the best way to gauge your soil's health.

Long Seasons in Zone 8a

With a Hardiness Zone of 8a, Sierra County offers a long, warm growing season for melons and cotton. Take advantage of the heat to grow vibrant summer crops and Mediterranean-style herbs.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Sierra County

via LawnByCounty

Intense Hurdles for Sierra Landscapes

Sierra County presents extreme challenges for lawn care, with a difficulty score of just 16.9. This is nearly half the state average, making it one of the toughest places in the country to maintain traditional turf.

Managing Extreme Heat and Low Moisture

High heat defines this Zone 8a climate, which sees a staggering 85 days above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Coupled with only 11.0 inches of rain, your lawn faces massive evaporation stress compared to national benchmarks.

Overcoming Arid Land Quality

Local soil data is currently limited, though high-heat regions often feature sandy substrates with poor water retention. You will likely need to incorporate significant amounts of organic matter to help soil hold onto irrigation water.

A Year of Severe Drought Stress

Drought has persisted for 53 straight weeks, and 78.5% of the county currently suffers from severe conditions. Strict water conservation is mandatory, so consider using recycled greywater or focusing on small, high-impact turf areas.

Heat-Loving Grass Varieties for Zone 8a

Warm-season grasses like Bermuda or Zoysia are the best bets for surviving the intense heat of Zone 8a. Target a planting date in early April once the risk of frost passes after March 30.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sierra County's county score?
Sierra County, New Mexico has a composite county score of 53 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 Sierra County rank among counties in New Mexico?
Sierra County ranks #15 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 Sierra County, New Mexico?
The median annual property tax in Sierra County is $789, with an effective tax rate of 0.52%. This earns Sierra County a tax score of 82.6/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Sierra County?
The median household income in Sierra County, New Mexico is $41,600 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Sierra County earns an income score of 3.1/100 on CountyScore.
Is Sierra County, New Mexico a good place to live?
Sierra County scores 53/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #15 in New Mexico. The best way to evaluate Sierra 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 Sierra 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.