CountyScore

Valencia County

New Mexico · NM

#25 in New Mexico
66.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Valencia County, New Mexico

Valencia outpaces the national livability median

Valencia County's composite score of 66.8 sits well above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper third of U.S. counties overall. This strong performance reflects particularly competitive tax and housing costs that rival or beat most American counties, offsetting income and risk challenges that pull the overall score down.

Slightly behind New Mexico's county average

Valencia ranks near the middle of New Mexico's 33 counties with a score of 66.8, just 3 points below the state average of 69.8. While not a top-tier performer statewide, Valencia remains solidly above the national baseline and reflects genuine livability strengths in its tax and housing markets.

Tax-friendly and affordable housing stand out

Valencia County shines in tax burden (83.7/100) with an effective tax rate of just 0.66%—among the lowest regionally—and housing affordability (78.7/100) with a median home value of $206,800 and rents averaging $970/month. Health outcomes score a solid 65.3, suggesting residents have reasonable access to care compared to many rural New Mexico counties.

Income and risk factors constrain the livability picture

Valencia County's income score of 21.5 reflects a median household income of $58,333—below both state and national averages—which limits disposable income for many families. A low risk score (17.8) suggests elevated environmental or economic volatility concerns that warrant attention when considering long-term stability.

Best for budget-conscious retirees and remote workers

Valencia County suits households prioritizing low taxes and affordable housing over high wages, making it attractive to retirees on fixed incomes or remote workers earning elsewhere. It's less ideal for job seekers or families dependent on local employment, where income constraints and risk factors may limit economic opportunity.

Score breakdown

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

Tax83.7Cost78.7SafetyComing SoonHealth65.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome21.5Risk17.8WaterComing Soon
🏛83.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠78.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼21.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤65.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡17.8
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 Valencia County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Cochise County
Arizona
66.8
Median income: $58,970
Chattooga County
Georgia
66.8
Median income: $47,785
Clay County
Illinois
66.8
Median income: $57,266
Piatt County
Illinois
66.8
Median income: $87,516
Hamilton County
Kansas
66.8
Median income: $61,929

Deep Dives

Valencia County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Valencia County

via TaxByCounty

Valencia's taxes are well below the national average

Valencia County homeowners pay an effective tax rate of 0.66%, significantly lower than the national median of 0.91%. With a median property tax of $1,365 annually, Valencia residents pay about half what the typical American homeowner pays ($2,690), placing the county in the bottom 30% nationally for tax burden.

Among the highest-taxed counties in New Mexico

Valencia County ranks above the state average, with an effective tax rate of 0.66% compared to New Mexico's statewide average of 0.595%. At $1,365 in median annual property taxes, Valencia residents pay about $322 more than the state median of $1,043, placing it in the top tier of New Mexico counties.

Higher taxes than most neighboring counties

Valencia County's 0.66% effective rate exceeds the state average and puts it among the higher-taxed counties in central New Mexico. While specific neighbor comparisons are limited, Valencia's rate reflects the region's property tax structure, making it worth monitoring for homeowners considering the broader state landscape.

What your Valencia home costs in taxes

The median Valencia home valued at $206,800 generates roughly $1,365 in annual property taxes at the current 0.66% rate. For homeowners with mortgages, that figure can rise to $1,479 annually, while those owning outright pay around $1,188—a manageable burden compared to national averages.

You might be overassessed—appeal today

Many Valencia County homeowners are unknowingly paying taxes on inflated assessments. If you believe your home's assessed value doesn't match the local market, filing a formal appeal with the county assessor's office could lower your annual tax bill—often with no cost to you.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Valencia County

via CostByCounty

Valencia's rents rival the national average

With a rent-to-income ratio of 19.9%, Valencia County residents spend slightly more on housing costs than the typical American household. The national median household income stands at $74,755, while Valencia's median income of $58,333 means renters here stretch their paychecks further to afford the county's median rent of $970 per month.

Nearly tied with New Mexico's median

Valencia's rent-to-income ratio of 19.9% sits just above New Mexico's state average of 19.4%, placing the county in the middle tier of affordability statewide. The county's median rent of $970 exceeds the state average of $876, reflecting slightly higher housing costs than much of the rest of New Mexico.

How Valencia stacks up locally

Valencia County's median rent of $970 and median home value of $206,800 position it as a moderately priced option in central New Mexico. While specific neighbor county data isn't available for direct comparison, Valencia's affordability metrics suggest competitive housing costs for the region, offering residents a balance between access and expense.

Where Valencia incomes go

The typical Valencia household earning $58,333 annually dedicates nearly $970 monthly to rent—about 20% of gross income—while homeowners pay roughly $798 monthly for ownership costs. This split reveals that renters in Valencia carry a slightly heavier burden than homeowners, though both groups spend less than the national standard of 30% of income on housing.

Consider Valencia for moderate living costs

If you're weighing relocation options, Valencia County offers rent-to-income ratios below the national average and median home values under $210,000, making it accessible for both renters and buyers. The county's alignment with New Mexico's affordability profile means you'll find familiar cost structures while exploring a growing central New Mexico community.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Valencia County

via IncomeByCounty

Valencia lags behind national earnings

Valencia County's median household income of $58,333 falls about 22% below the U.S. median of $74,755, placing it well outside the top tier of American counties. This gap reflects broader economic patterns in rural New Mexico, where local wage growth hasn't kept pace with national trends.

Middle of the pack in New Mexico

Valencia County's $58,333 median household income ranks above New Mexico's state average of $55,469, putting it in the upper-middle tier of the state's 33 counties. Local earners benefit from slightly higher incomes than their counterparts in more rural parts of the state.

Stable earnings in central New Mexico

Valencia County's median household income sits just above the state average, competitive with other central New Mexico counties in the Albuquerque metro region. Per capita income of $30,066 slightly trails the state average of $32,602, suggesting lower individual earnings despite solid household totals.

Housing costs remain manageable here

At 19.9%, Valencia County's rent-to-income ratio sits below the national affordability threshold of 30%, meaning renters spend a reasonable portion of earnings on housing. With a median home value of $206,800, homeownership remains within reach for households earning the county median, though financing requires careful planning.

Build financial security in Valencia

Valencia County residents earning near the median have solid ground to build savings and retirement plans, especially with manageable housing costs. Starting early with employer-sponsored retirement plans, emergency funds, and modest investments can help close the income gap with wealthier counties over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Valencia County

via HealthByCounty

Valencia's life expectancy beats national trend

Residents of Valencia County live to an average of 74.5 years, outpacing the U.S. average of 74.1 years. However, one in five Valencia residents report poor or fair health (20.4%), which is higher than the national average of about 17%, signaling healthcare access or chronic disease challenges worth monitoring.

Healthier than most New Mexico counties

Valencia County's life expectancy of 74.5 years ranks above New Mexico's state average of 73.7 years, placing it among the healthier counties in the state. This modest advantage reflects better-than-average health outcomes in a state that faces significant health challenges.

Healthcare workforce varies across region

Valencia County has 30 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, which is below the typical benchmark of 50 providers per 100K needed for adequate access. The county's mental health provider density of 229 per 100,000 is notably strong, suggesting better mental healthcare availability than many rural areas in the Southwest.

One in ten lack health insurance

An estimated 10.8% of Valencia County residents are uninsured, slightly above New Mexico's state average of 10.2%. With primary care providers stretched thin at 30 per 100K, many residents delay preventive care or rely on emergency departments for routine health needs.

Explore coverage options today

If you're among the uninsured in Valencia County, health insurance options exist through New Mexico's marketplace, Medicaid, and employer plans. Contact a local health department or visit healthcare.gov to learn about affordability assistance and preventive care benefits that can help you and your family stay healthy.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Valencia County

via RiskByCounty

Valencia ranks above average for disaster risk

With a composite risk score of 82.25, Valencia County faces relatively moderate natural disaster risk—notably higher than the national average. This score reflects significant exposure to multiple hazard types, particularly earthquakes, floods, and wildfires that are common across New Mexico's landscape.

One of New Mexico's riskier counties

Valencia's composite score of 82.25 places it well above New Mexico's state average of 58.92, making it among the state's higher-risk counties. This above-average exposure means residents face more frequent or intense natural hazard threats than most New Mexicans.

Significantly riskier than surrounding area

Valencia County's 82.25 score substantially exceeds New Mexico's state average, indicating it faces elevated hazard exposure compared to the broader region. While Hurricane Risk data is not available for this inland county, its earthquake (90.43), flood (89.63), and wildfire (87.40) scores are among the highest risk factors statewide.

Earthquakes and floods pose greatest threats

Earthquake risk dominates Valencia County's profile at 90.43—among the highest in the state due to its proximity to active seismic zones. Flood risk (89.63) and wildfire risk (87.40) are equally serious concerns, with the county's geography and climate making all three hazards persistent threats to homes and infrastructure.

Secure appropriate coverage now

Standard homeowners policies typically exclude earthquake and flood damage—two of Valencia County's top three risks—so specialized earthquake and flood insurance are essential. Review your coverage today to ensure you're protected against the specific hazards most likely to impact your property and community.

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.