CountyScore

Taos County

New Mexico · NM

#15 in New Mexico
70.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Taos County, New Mexico

Taos excels in national comparison

Taos County scores 70.3, exceeding the national median of 50.0 by 20 percentile points. Its exceptional tax efficiency anchors this strong national showing, even as housing costs run moderate to high.

Tied with San Miguel for middle tier

Taos ranks in the upper-middle tier of New Mexico counties with a composite score of 70.3, just above the state average of 69.8. The county balances rural character with cultural and recreational appeal.

Lowest tax burden in entire group

Taos has the lowest effective tax rate at just 0.329% with a tax score of 93.0—unmatched among all eight counties. The county offers a rare combination of minimal taxes, reasonable housing costs, and vibrant arts, outdoor recreation, and cultural scenes.

Housing expensive, incomes moderate

The median home value of $354,000 rivals Santa Fe, while median household income of $58,908 doesn't fully bridge that gap. The income score of 21.8 suggests limited high-wage employment relative to cost of living.

Taos fits artists and outdoor lovers

Taos County attracts creative professionals, outdoor enthusiasts, and retirees drawn to mountain scenery, art galleries, and minimal tax exposure. It suits those valuing lifestyle and community over maximum earning potential or suburban convenience.

Score breakdown

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

Tax93Cost78.4SafetyComing SoonHealth67.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome21.8Risk25.7WaterComing Soon
🏛93
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠78.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼21.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤67.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡25.7
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 Taos County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Petersburg Borough
Alaska
70.3
Median income: $77,026
Trinity County
California
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
Georgia
70.3
Median income: $40,764

Deep Dives

Taos County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 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

Health in Taos County

via HealthByCounty

Taos approaches national life expectancy

Taos County residents live 76.5 years on average, within 2.5 years of the U.S. life expectancy of 79 years, ranking among the nation's better-performing rural areas. The county's 18.9% poor or fair health rate sits slightly above the national 15% baseline, reflecting manageable but present chronic disease burden.

Third-best health outcomes in state

Taos's 76.5-year life expectancy ranks third in New Mexico, nearly 3 years above the state average of 73.7 years. The 18.9% poor/fair health rate and 11.3% uninsured rate both align with or slightly exceed state averages, but strong provider networks offset coverage gaps.

Regional health leader with trade-offs

Taos trails only Santa Fe (79.3 years) and Sandoval (76.8 years) among surrounding counties, significantly outpacing Socorro (71.0 years). The county's 87 primary care providers per 100,000 residents rank second regionally, supporting accessible preventive care despite higher-than-average uninsured rates.

Strong providers offset coverage barriers

Taos's 87 primary care providers and robust 869 mental health providers per 100,000 residents ensure residents can access care regardless of insurance status. However, 11.3% uninsured means many delay visits or rely on emergency rooms, underutilizing the provider capacity available.

Complete your health security

Taos has built excellent healthcare infrastructure, but 1 in 9 residents remain uninsured and vulnerable to financial hardship from illness. Visit Healthcare.gov or New Mexico's marketplace to explore Medicaid, subsidized plans, and preventive care benefits that Taos providers stand ready to deliver.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

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

ByCounty Network

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