countyscore
48.2
County Score
Property Tax 97.3Health 50.1Weather & Climate 48.5

County Report Card

About Taos County, New Mexico

Slightly Below National Average

Taos County’s composite score of 48.2 is just under the national median of 50.0. While it offers unique benefits, it faces hurdles common to high-amenity rural areas.

Close to the State Average

The county's score of 48.2 is nearly identical to the New Mexico average of 49.1. It provides a typical New Mexico experience but with some of the lowest taxes in the region.

Unrivaled Tax Advantages

Taos features a nearly perfect tax score of 97.3, thanks to a very low 0.329% effective rate. Healthcare also performs well for the region with a score of 50.1.

Environmental and Infrastructure Risks

The county struggles with water security (10.1) and environmental risk (25.7). Moderate housing costs, with median home values at $354,000, also affect its cost score of 46.3.

Suited for Mountain Minimalists

Taos County is perfect for those who want to live in a scenic environment with minimal tax burdens. It is a great fit for artists or professionals who can navigate localized water and housing issues.

2040608010097.346.338.950.129.735.325.710.148.5Tax97.3Cost46.3Safety38.9Health50.1Schools29.7Income35.3Risk25.7Water10.1Weather48.548.2/100
This county
National avg
1 above average5 below average

Taos County DNA

Foverall

How Taos County compares to the national average across 9 dimensions

Taos County falls below the national average in most categories. The biggest gap is in Water Quality (10.1/100), though Property Tax (97.3/100) remains a relative bright spot.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
97.3+45.3
Cost
46.3
Safety
38.9-16.1
Health
50.1
Schools
29.7-24.3
Income
35.3-15.700000000000003
Risk
25.7-21.3
Water
10.1-47.9
Weather
48.5
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Compare mortgage rates in Taos County

Whether buying or refinancing in Taos County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$354,000

National median: $174,650

Median Rent

$1,069/mo

National median: $854/mo

Income Needed (home)

$354,000/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$42,760/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum6.0x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $58,908/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

23.2

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

Colfax County
New Mexico
54.4
Costilla County
Colorado
62.6
Rio Arriba County
New Mexico
60.6
Mora County
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Conejos County
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Alamosa County
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Los Alamos County
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Santa Fe County
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Deep Dives

Taos County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 11 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Taos County

via TaxByCounty

Taos offers the nation's lowest tax rates

Taos County's effective tax rate of 0.329% ranks among the lowest in the entire United States, sitting far below the national median of 0.79%. Despite a median home value of $354,000—26% above the national average—Taos residents pay just $1,164 annually, well below the national median of $2,690.

Taos has New Mexico's second-lowest rate

Taos County's 0.329% effective tax rate is the second-lowest in New Mexico, trailing only Santa Fe County (0.506%), and represents a remarkable 45% discount versus the state average of 0.595%. This exceptionally favorable rate makes Taos a tax haven within the state.

Taos taxes are unmatched in the region

Taos's 0.329% rate is the lowest among all northern New Mexico counties, beating San Miguel (0.558%), Sandoval (0.760%), and all other regional peers by substantial margins. Only Santa Fe County comes close with a 0.506% rate, making both northern counties exceptionally tax-friendly.

Premium properties, minimal tax bills

On a median home value of $354,000, Taos's 0.329% effective rate means approximately $1,164 in annual property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages typically pay $1,461 yearly, while those without mortgages pay around $974.

Even Taos homeowners should check assessments

Taos's remarkably low rates don't guarantee accurate assessments; some homeowners may still carry valuations exceeding market worth. Reviewing your assessment or filing an appeal with the county is a simple way to confirm you're paying fairly.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Taos County

via CostByCounty

Taos rents approach national burden despite lower income

Taos County's 21.8% rent-to-income ratio exceeds the national baseline, with median household income of $58,908 falling $15,847 below the U.S. average. The gap reflects Taos's status as an arts-focused destination where rents ($1,069) reflect demand from affluent transplants and visitors.

Second-priciest market in New Mexico

Taos ranks second only to Santa Fe among New Mexico's most expensive housing markets, with a 21.8% rent-to-income ratio exceeding the state average of 19.4%. The county attracts artistic communities and outdoor enthusiasts willing to pay premium prices for lifestyle amenities.

Premium prices for artistic mountain living

Taos's $1,069 median rent trails Santa Fe ($1,318) and Sandoval ($1,408) but vastly exceeds rural competitors like Socorro ($653). Home values ($354,000) position Taos as the region's second-most-expensive market, behind only Santa Fe.

Arts appeal commands housing premium

Taos residents earning $58,908 annually spend $1,069 monthly on rent (21.8% of gross income), the second-highest proportional burden in the region. Homeowners allocate $695 monthly toward properties averaging $354,000, reflecting Taos's appeal to affluent transplants seeking cultural engagement.

Taos suits creative professionals with savings

Relocate to Taos if you value artistic community and outdoor recreation enough to afford above-state-average housing costs. The county offers less extreme prices than Santa Fe while maintaining comparable cultural amenities, making it ideal for creative professionals.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Taos County

via IncomeByCounty

Taos approaches but lags national income

Taos County's median household income of $58,908 falls $15,847 below the U.S. median of $74,755, representing roughly 79% of national average earnings. The county sits in the lower tier nationally despite ranking strongest in northern New Mexico.

Above New Mexico average

Taos's median household income of $58,908 exceeds New Mexico's state average of $55,469 by $3,439, making it a relatively stronger performer statewide. Its per capita income of $40,018 also leads the state mean by $7,416.

Outearns most rural rivals

Taos's $58,908 income surpasses San Miguel ($47,400), Socorro ($47,556), Torrance ($46,250), and Sierra ($37,840) by significant margins. Only Sandoval ($84,053) and Santa Fe ($74,689) exceed Taos in the regional group.

High home values strain affordability

Taos County's rent-to-income ratio of 21.8% edges above comfort zones, and the median home value of $354,000 ranks second-highest regionally. Despite moderate ratios, absolute housing costs challenge many households here.

Taos residents can build diversified wealth

With above-state-average incomes, Taos households benefit from balancing primary residence investment with diversified portfolio building. Long-term investors here should consider both traditional and alternative assets appropriate to their risk tolerance.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Taos County

via CrimeByCounty

Taos County maintains high safety levels

Taos County’s safety score of 97.8 reflects a total crime rate of 1,392.3 per 100,000. This is significantly better than the national average crime rate of 2,385.5.

Outperforming the New Mexico average

Taos reports a safety score of 97.8, which is above the state average of 97.4. Its crime rate of 1,392.3 also sits below the New Mexico average of 1,638.5.

Fewer crimes than Santa Fe County

Taos’s crime rate of 1,392.3 is less than half of Santa Fe’s 3,754.5. It also maintains a lower rate than nearby Torrance County (2,308.8).

Understanding the crime distribution

Property crime sits at 1,250.2 per 100K, making it the most common concern, while violent crime is low at 142.1. These numbers suggest a relatively safe environment for residents.

Strengthen your home defenses

Because property crime is more prevalent than violent crime, focus on securing your home’s entry points. Community watch programs can also help maintain Taos’s safety.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Schools in Taos County

via SchoolsByCounty

A Decentralized Network of Eight Districts

Taos County features 21 public schools managed by eight different districts, creating a highly localized education landscape for 3,674 students. This structure includes 11 elementary, four middle, and six high schools.

Localized Education with Competitive Spending

The county's graduation rate of 75.1% trails the state average of 79.0%, and its school score of 46.9 reflects ongoing academic challenges. Spending sits at $7,571 per pupil, which is nearly on par with the New Mexico state average of $7,957.

A Hub for Charter School Innovation

Taos Municipal Schools is the largest district with 2,267 students, but charter schools are a major feature here. With seven charter schools representing 33% of all campuses, Taos offers significant educational choice for its residents.

Rural Schools with Intimate Enrollment

The average school size is just 184 students, split evenly between rural and town locales. Taos High is the largest institution with 758 students, while many other schools provide extremely small, community-focused learning environments.

Discover Unique Educational Options in Taos

The high density of charter schools makes Taos County an excellent choice for families seeking non-traditional public education. Explore residential listings near Taos Municipal Schools to benefit from both variety and community-oriented campus life.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Taos County

via RiskByCounty

Taos risk exceeds U.S. county average

Taos County's composite risk score of 74.27 and 'Relatively Low' rating place it above typical U.S. counties in natural disaster exposure. The county's northern location and mountainous terrain create meaningful hazard concentrations across multiple categories.

Mid-range risk among New Mexico counties

With a score of 74.27 against the state average of 58.92, Taos County ranks above the midpoint of New Mexico's risk distribution. The county's wildfire score of 96.18 and flood risk of 81.68 drive its elevated composite exposure within the state.

Riskier than southern counties, safer than Santa Fe

Taos's 74.27 score sits between San Miguel (74.59) to the east and Santa Fe (85.97) to the south, placing it in New Mexico's higher-risk corridor. The county experiences substantially more exposure than southern peers like Torrance (46.15) due to its northern forest and mountain geography.

Wildfires dominate, floods second concern

Wildfire risk of 96.18 makes forest fires Taos's most pressing hazard, driven by dense ponderosa and mixed-conifer forests across much of the county. Flood risk of 81.68 creates secondary exposure during monsoon and snowmelt periods, particularly in valley bottoms and near waterways.

Wildfire and flood coverage critical

Taos residents should verify wildfire coverage under standard policies and obtain separate flood insurance, essential given the county's 96.18 wildfire and 81.68 flood scores. Creating 100-foot defensible space zones around structures—removing dead trees and brush—provides critical wildfire mitigation for this high-risk county.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Water Quality in Taos County

via WaterByCounty

Moderate Violation Rate Earns F Grade

Taos County is graded F for 65 health violations recorded over a five-year period. The violation rate of 326.6 per 100,000 residents is better than the state average of 475.7.

Turbidity and Bacteria in Taos Waters

Over 23% of assessed water bodies are impaired, exceeding the New Mexico average of 20.0%. The 2022 reporting cycle identifies temperature, turbidity, and E. coli as the leading causes of impairment.

Active Microbiological and Nutrient Tracking

Forty monitoring sites have produced 10,643 measurements over the last five years. The Water Quality Portal shows a strong focus on physical, microbiological, and nutrient characteristic groups.

Rio Grande Flows at One-Third Mean

The Rio Grande below Taos Junction Bridge currently flows at 225 cfs, or 31% of its long-term mean. This is significantly lower than the 719 cfs typically expected for this 9,730 square mile drainage area.

Focus on Disinfection and Clarity

High turbidity and E. coli impairments suggest that residents should use filtration and disinfection systems. These issues are often more pronounced when river flows are low and cannot effectively dilute contaminants.

Full water quality analysis on WaterByCounty

Weather & Climate in Taos County

via WeatherByCounty

Cold and Snowy Alpine Climate

Taos County is exceptionally cool with an annual average of 44.0°F, well below the national median. It receives 16 inches of precipitation, largely in the form of heavy snow.

The State's Coldest Resident

At 44.0°F, Taos is nearly 11 degrees cooler than the New Mexico state average. It ranks as one of the coldest and snowiest counties in the entire state.

A Different World From Neighbors

Taos sees 82.2 inches of snow, dwarfing the 24.8 inches in neighboring Santa Fe. It experiences only 8 days of 90°F heat, while its neighbors face far more.

Epic Winters and Chilly Summers

Winters are harsh with 82.2 inches of snow and a January average of 23.3°F. Summers are incredibly mild, with July temperatures averaging only 64.6°F.

Gear Up for Serious Snow

Heavy-duty winter clothing and snow tires are mandatory for the 82-inch annual snowfall. Heating systems must be robust to handle the 25.1°F winter average.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Taos County

via SoilByCounty

Mountainous Soil Characteristics

Specific pH levels and taxonomic orders are currently unmapped for Taos. These high-elevation soils are likely influenced by volcanic activity and typically test above the national median pH of 6.5.

Rugged Texture Profiles

Precise sand, silt, and clay percentages are unavailable for this county. The rocky, alpine landscape creates unique textural challenges that differ greatly from the sandy basins of the south.

Alpine Fertility Benchmarks

Organic matter and water capacity data are missing for Taos soils. Using the state average of 1.27% organic matter as a reference can help mountain gardeners determine how much compost to add.

High-Altitude Hydrology

Official drainage classes and hydrologic groups remain undocumented for this region. Because formal data is thin, monitoring snowmelt runoff is the best way to understand local drainage and soil stability.

Cool Climates in Zone 6a

Taos County sits in Hardiness Zone 6a, requiring gardeners to choose frost-tolerant crops. Focus on cool-season greens, radishes, and berries to thrive in the crisp mountain air.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Taos County

via LawnByCounty

Cool Nights and High Altitudes in Taos

Taos County earns a lawn difficulty score of 29.8, reflecting the unique hurdles of a high-altitude Zone 6a climate. While you avoid the heat of the south, your shorter growing season creates its own set of challenges.

Short Growing Seasons and Mild Summers

You enjoy a cool climate with only 8 extreme heat days per year, far lower than the state average of 58. However, 16.0 inches of precipitation still falls short of ideal lawn needs, requiring diligent watering.

Adapting to Variable Mountain Soils

Regional soil data is not currently recorded, but mountain soils often vary wildly from rocky slopes to heavy clay pockets. A professional soil test is the best way to determine if you need to adjust pH.

Strategic Irrigation During Dry Spells

The county has experienced 53 weeks of drought, though severe levels are currently restricted to less than 9% of the area. Focus on capturing snowmelt and using rain barrels to supplement your lawn water needs.

Selecting Cool-Season Varieties

Cool-season grasses like perennial ryegrass or fine fescues are well-suited for Zone 6a. Be patient and wait for the May 31 frost date before starting your lawn to protect young shoots.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Taos County's county score?
Taos County, New Mexico has a composite county score of 48.2 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 Taos County rank among counties in New Mexico?
Taos County ranks #19 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 Taos County, New Mexico?
The median annual property tax in Taos County is $1,164, with an effective tax rate of 0.33%. This earns Taos County a tax score of 97.3/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Taos County?
The median household income in Taos County, New Mexico is $58,908 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Taos County earns an income score of 35.3/100 on CountyScore.
Is Taos County, New Mexico a good place to live?
Taos County scores 48.2/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #19 in New Mexico. The best way to evaluate Taos 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 Taos 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.