Cost of Living in Taos County, New Mexico
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
These figures are county medians, not a personal budget. Use them to frame rent, ownership, and income tradeoffs, then account for household size, commute, financing, insurance, taxes, debt, and local availability before making a decision.
How Taos County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Taos County ranks #1,624 of 3,142 counties for affordability (bottom 48%)
Sourced county brief
Taos County Official Rent-to-Income Percentage at 34.4%
The official median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) in Taos County is 34.4%. This figure is 6.0 percentage points higher than the New Mexico unweighted county mean of 28.4%. The median gross rent in the county is $1,034, which is above the state unweighted county mean of $905. Median renter-household income was estimated at $34,041. In the owner-occupied sector, the median home value is $382,800, which is $190,073 higher than the state unweighted county mean of $192,727. Median selected monthly owner costs for all units are $701, compared to the state unweighted county mean of $711. This data represents a profile of the county's housing costs as estimated in the 2020-2024 ACS. See ACS table B25071 for the underlying estimate.
Source record
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25064 Median Gross Rent
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25071 GRAPI
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25077 Median Home Value
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25088 Selected Monthly Owner Costs
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25119 Household Income by Tenure
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-brief-v1
Cost of Living Advisory: Taos County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 34.4% of renter household income in Taos County, which is between the 30% and 50% rent-burden benchmarks. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $1,034 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $701. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $41,360 in annual gross income would allocate 30% to the county's median gross rent. This is a reproducible illustration, not evidence that a particular household can afford housing.
Regional Context
The New Mexico unweighted mean of county median rents is $905 per month. Taos County's $1,034 median is 14.3% above that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Taos County
Rent Burden
21.0%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,376
per month
Owner Cost Burden
14.3%
of gross income
The median home in Taos County may be a stretch
Median home value is $382,800. Estimated monthly cost: $3,056 vs. your max of $1,376.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
See how much you need to earn to comfortably afford housing
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
Based on the 30% rule for rent and 28% rule for housing costs (mortgage + owner costs). Mortgage estimate assumes 20% down, 7.2% interest, 30-year fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Taos County, New Mexico?
What is the median rent in Taos County?
Is Taos County affordable?
How does Taos County's rent compare to the state average?
What is the median home value in Taos County?
Counties with Similar Housing Costs
Planning a Move?
Researching the cost of living in Taos County, New Mexico? Compare moving quotes from top providers and save on your relocation.
Compare Moving QuotesCompare Mortgage Rates in Taos County
Whether you're buying in Taos County, New Mexico, or refinancing, compare rates from top lenders using the terms each lender provides.
See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2020-2024). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.
CostByCounty participates in affiliate programs. We may earn a commission when you use our links, at no extra cost to you.