Torrance County scores 71.4, placing it more than 20 percentile points above the national median of 50.0. The county's combination of low taxes and reasonable housing costs drives this competitive national ranking.
2 / 5
Second-best performer in group
Torrance ranks second among these eight New Mexico counties with a composite score of 71.4, surpassing the state average of 69.8. Only Sierra slightly outpaces it, though Torrance offers a better income profile.
3 / 5
Strong tax and cost efficiency
Torrance's tax score of 89.1 and cost score of 84.1 reflect an effective tax rate of 0.467% and median home value of $145,100. Combined with median rent under $850, the county delivers exceptional value for budget-conscious families.
4 / 5
Income and health need improvement
The income score of 13.6 and median household income of $46,250 are among the lowest in this set, reflecting limited employment diversity. The health score of 61.9 and elevated environmental risk scores also warrant investigation before relocating.
5 / 5
Ideal for frugal remote workers
Torrance County suits self-employed professionals, freelancers, and retirees who work remotely or live on savings and want minimal tax burden. It appeals to those prioritizing affordability and self-sufficiency over local job markets and services.
Torrance County scores 71.4, placing it more than 20 percentile points above the national median of 50.0. The county's combination of low taxes and reasonable housing costs drives this competitive national ranking.
Second-best performer in group
Torrance ranks second among these eight New Mexico counties with a composite score of 71.4, surpassing the state average of 69.8. Only Sierra slightly outpaces it, though Torrance offers a better income profile.
Strong tax and cost efficiency
Torrance's tax score of 89.1 and cost score of 84.1 reflect an effective tax rate of 0.467% and median home value of $145,100. Combined with median rent under $850, the county delivers exceptional value for budget-conscious families.
Income and health need improvement
The income score of 13.6 and median household income of $46,250 are among the lowest in this set, reflecting limited employment diversity. The health score of 61.9 and elevated environmental risk scores also warrant investigation before relocating.
Ideal for frugal remote workers
Torrance County suits self-employed professionals, freelancers, and retirees who work remotely or live on savings and want minimal tax burden. It appeals to those prioritizing affordability and self-sufficiency over local job markets and services.
Score breakdown
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🏛89.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Torrance County's effective tax rate of 0.467% falls well below the national median of 0.79%, placing it in the bottom quarter of U.S. counties. At just $677 in annual property taxes on a median home valued at $145,100, Torrance residents enjoy some of the nation's lowest tax burdens.
Below-average taxes in New Mexico
Torrance County's 0.467% rate runs 21% below New Mexico's state average of 0.595%, placing it among the state's most tax-friendly counties. The median tax bill of $677 is roughly 35% below the state average of $1,043, making Torrance exceptionally affordable.
Torrance taxes rank among the lowest regionally
Torrance's 0.467% rate beats most regional peers except for Taos (0.329%), placing it among New Mexico's most tax-efficient counties. Compared to Sandoval County (0.760%), Torrance homeowners pay roughly 39% less in property taxes.
Annual taxes average just $677
On Torrance County's median home value of $145,100, the effective tax rate of 0.467% translates to approximately $677 per year in property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages typically pay $880 annually, while those without mortgages pay around $528.
Confirm your assessment is fair
Despite Torrance's already-low tax rates, some homeowners may still be overassessed relative to market value. A free appeal to the county assessor could verify your assessment and potentially save you money.
Torrance's modest wages strain for mountain living
Torrance County's 21.9% rent-to-income ratio ranks among New Mexico's worst, with median household income of $46,250 trailing the U.S. average by $28,505. The gap widens considering median rent of $845, reflecting the county's high elevation and limited economic diversity.
Third-least affordable county in New Mexico
Torrance's 21.9% rent-to-income ratio exceeds New Mexico's state average of 19.4%, ranking among the state's most challenging housing markets. The county struggles to generate incomes sufficient to comfortably support even moderate housing costs.
Steep rents relative to income potential
Torrance's $845 median rent exceeds San Miguel ($774) and Socorro ($653) significantly while incomes remain lower than both competitors. The combination creates a housing squeeze, with residents dedicating a fifth of earnings to rent alone.
Rural life carries unexpected affordability challenges
Torrance households earning $46,250 annually spend $845 monthly on rent (21.9% of income), one of the state's highest proportional burdens. Homeowners pay $599 monthly toward homes averaging $145,100, straining modest-income households despite rural location.
Torrance requires strong financial planning
Consider Torrance County only if you have reliable external income or significant savings, as local wages cannot comfortably support housing costs. The county's high-elevation setting appeals to those seeking isolation, but budget carefully.
Torrance County's median household income of $46,250 falls $28,505 below the U.S. median of $74,755, representing roughly 62% of national average. The county ranks among lowest-income areas nationally.
Below New Mexico average
Torrance's median household income of $46,250 trails New Mexico's state average of $55,469 by $9,219. Its per capita income of $24,922 also falls below the state benchmark of $32,602.
Bottom tier of regional group
Torrance's $46,250 income ranks second-lowest among the profiled counties, surpassing only Sierra County ($37,840) by $8,410. Most neighboring counties earn substantially more.
Housing costs take large income share
Torrance County's rent-to-income ratio of 21.9% ranks among the highest in this group, meaning housing consumes significant income percentage. Median home value of $145,100 remains modest but represents substantial commitment relative to earnings.
Start small, save consistently
Torrance County residents should prioritize building emergency reserves before aggressive investing, given modest incomes. Employer retirement plans with matching, if available, offer powerful tax-advantaged growth even with small regular contributions.
At 72.8 years, Torrance County's life expectancy falls 6.2 years short of the U.S. average of 79 years, placing it among the nation's lowest-performing rural counties. The 24.5% poor or fair health rate significantly exceeds the national 15% average, indicating widespread chronic disease and limited health infrastructure.
Third-worst health in New Mexico
Torrance's 72.8-year life expectancy ranks fourth-worst in the state, nearly 1 year below New Mexico's 73.7-year average. The 24.5% poor/fair health rate places it among the state's most distressed populations, though a 9.0% uninsured rate sits slightly below the state average.
Critical shortage in isolated county
Torrance's 72.8-year life expectancy trails neighboring Taos (76.5 years) and Sandoval (76.8 years), with only Socorro (71.0 years) and Sierra (69.6 years) performing worse. Most alarming: Torrance has just 7 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—a near-total provider desert compared to regional averages of 50-110.
Provider desert threatens basic care access
Torrance County's catastrophic shortage of 7 primary care providers per 100,000 residents means patients travel 30+ miles for routine care, delaying diagnosis and preventive treatment. The county's 9.0% uninsured rate masks a deeper crisis: even insured residents can't find doctors, leaving chronic disease unmanaged.
Health insurance + advocacy needed
Torrance residents must secure health coverage as a foundation, even as they advocate for provider recruitment and telemedicine expansion. Visit Healthcare.gov or call New Mexico's marketplace to explore Medicaid and plans—coverage is your first tool to demand better healthcare access.
Torrance County's composite risk score of 46.15 and 'Relatively Low' rating place it below the typical U.S. county in overall natural disaster exposure. The county's lower-risk profile reflects its lower-elevation, semi-arid landscape with reduced flood and seismic vulnerability.
New Mexico's safest county
Torrance County ranks as New Mexico's lowest-risk county with a score of 46.15, well below the state average of 58.92. The county's lower elevation and drier climate significantly reduce flood, earthquake, and composite risk compared to northern mountain counties.
Substantially safer than all peers
Torrance's 46.15 score is the lowest among all central and northern New Mexico counties, sitting notably below Socorro (61.48), Santa Fe (85.97), and Sandoval (76.97). The county benefits from its flatter terrain and position in the state's drier central plateau.
Wildfire presents the main hazard
Wildfire risk of 91.41 is Torrance's standout concern, creating exposure despite the county's otherwise low composite risk profile. Earthquake risk of 63.52 and flood risk of 62.85 remain relatively modest, reflecting the county's safer geographic position.
Standard coverage with wildfire focus
Torrance homeowners can rely on standard homeowners insurance for most protections, given the county's overall low-risk profile below the state average. Wildfire mitigation—maintaining defensible space and clearing brush—addresses the county's primary natural hazard exposure without requiring extraordinary insurance additions.