Property Tax in New Mexico by County
According to the US Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates, 2023, the median real estate tax bill in New Mexico is $1,669 a year, on a median home value of $232,200. Figures for every New Mexico county with published data — 33 in total — are in the table below. That state median is about 44% lower than the US median of $2,969.
At the top of the New Mexico table sits Los Alamos County, NM (median $2,591); at the bottom, Harding County, NM (median $328). One state, one tax system on paper — but the bills are set locally, county by county and district by district.
Looking across the state, 0 of 33 counties with published data have a median tax bill above the US median of $2,969. The middle county figure in New Mexico — the median of the county medians — is $893, and county medians range from $328 in Harding County to $2,591 in Los Alamos County, a spread that shows how local the tax burden is even within one state.
Population and land tell different stories in New Mexico: Bernalillo County leads on population (674,357), whereas Catron County leads on land area (6,924 square miles). Find both in the county table to see how their tax bills compare.
The state's population centres are Bernalillo County (674,357 residents; median tax $2,544 on a median value of $268,500), Doña Ana County (221,665; $1,404 on $205,400) and Santa Fe County (155,175; $2,110 on $416,900).
New Mexico counties: median property tax
| County | Median tax paid | Median home value | Derived rate* | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Alamos County, NM | $2,591 | $452,500 | 0.57% | 19,374 |
| Bernalillo County, NM | $2,544 | $268,500 | 0.95% | 674,357 |
| Sandoval County, NM | $2,147 | $282,300 | 0.76% | 151,538 |
| Santa Fe County, NM | $2,110 | $416,900 | 0.51% | 155,175 |
| Doña Ana County, NM | $1,404 | $205,400 | 0.68% | 221,665 |
| Valencia County, NM | $1,365 | $206,800 | 0.66% | 77,382 |
| McKinley County, NM | $1,362 | $72,100 | 1.89% | 71,172 |
| San Juan County, NM | $1,249 | $185,100 | 0.68% | 121,178 |
| Taos County, NM | $1,164 | $354,000 | 0.33% | 34,516 |
| Lincoln County, NM | $1,143 | $212,200 | 0.54% | 20,227 |
| Rio Arriba County, NM | $1,000 | $230,900 | 0.43% | 40,165 |
| Eddy County, NM | $995 | $199,400 | 0.50% | 61,114 |
| San Miguel County, NM | $991 | $177,600 | 0.56% | 27,036 |
| Cibola County, NM | $983 | $120,000 | 0.82% | 27,059 |
| Colfax County, NM | $927 | $161,000 | 0.58% | 12,336 |
| Chaves County, NM | $915 | $141,900 | 0.65% | 64,446 |
| Curry County, NM | $893 | $160,800 | 0.56% | 47,932 |
| Otero County, NM | $841 | $149,500 | 0.56% | 68,235 |
| Lea County, NM | $824 | $176,000 | 0.47% | 73,154 |
| Sierra County, NM | $793 | $144,800 | 0.55% | 11,511 |
| Socorro County, NM | $792 | $143,200 | 0.55% | 16,308 |
| De Baca County, NM | $788 | $158,000 | 0.50% | 1,580 |
| Union County, NM | $776 | $135,900 | 0.57% | 4,039 |
| Grant County, NM | $756 | $164,400 | 0.46% | 27,856 |
| Torrance County, NM | $677 | $145,100 | 0.47% | 15,290 |
| Luna County, NM | $648 | $112,500 | 0.58% | 25,420 |
| Mora County, NM | $642 | $119,900 | 0.54% | 4,176 |
| Roosevelt County, NM | $593 | $136,000 | 0.44% | 19,002 |
| Catron County, NM | $583 | $171,800 | 0.34% | 3,685 |
| Guadalupe County, NM | $563 | $107,200 | 0.53% | 4,379 |
| Hidalgo County, NM | $526 | $114,000 | 0.46% | 4,097 |
| Quay County, NM | $507 | $82,200 | 0.62% | 8,616 |
| Harding County, NM | $328 | $86,500 | 0.38% | 748 |
*Derived rate = median taxes paid ÷ median home value — an estimate from two survey medians, not an official rate. Counties in bold detail pages are linked; all figures: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates, 2023.
How assessment and appeals work in New Mexico
The mechanics in New Mexico follow the standard American pattern. A local assessor — generally a county office — estimates market value. Taxable value is what remains after exemptions. Each overlapping district (county, municipality, schools, and any special districts) applies its own rate, and the sum of those rates produces the bill the county collects.
Owners who think a property has been overvalued can appeal, first informally with the assessor and then formally to the review body named on the assessment notice. The strongest appeals rest on evidence: mistakes on the property record card, or sale prices of comparable homes that came in below the assessed value. Because filing windows are brief, check the deadline on your notice as soon as it arrives.
Statewide medians hide wide local variation, and New Mexico is no exception: bills depend on where in the state a home sits and which districts tax it. Use this page to place a county in context, then verify the specifics for any single property with the county assessor.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median property tax in New Mexico?
The median real estate tax paid in New Mexico is $1,669 per year, on a median home value of $232,200 (US Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates, 2023).
Which New Mexico county has the highest property taxes?
Among counties with published Census data, Los Alamos County has the highest median real estate taxes paid at $2,591 per year.
Which New Mexico county has the lowest property taxes?
Among counties with published Census data, Harding County has the lowest median real estate taxes paid at $328 per year.
How do I appeal a property tax assessment in New Mexico?
Assessments in New Mexico are handled locally, usually by the county assessor or an equivalent local office. If you believe your assessed value is too high, request your property record card, check it for errors, and file an appeal with the local board named on your assessment notice before the deadline printed on that notice — appeal windows are short, often 30 to 90 days.