1st Advantage MortgageAbout 78% of Taos County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $58,950. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- A quick profile of Taos County
- Household income in Taos County
- Taos County housing compared with New Mexico
- Employment and commuting in Taos County
- Taos County next to its neighbors
- Places inside Taos County
- People and households in Taos County
- Local borrowing considerations for Taos County
- Debt-to-income at Taos County's medians
- Lender oversight for Taos County
- Before you sign
- More guides for Taos County
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Taos County
Taos County is home to about 34,543 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 14th most populous of 33 county-level areas in New Mexico. Land area is 2,202 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 16 per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Taos County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Of the 17 Census places inside Taos County, Taos leads by population with about 6,458; 4 of the 17 are incorporated.
Household income in Taos County
At $58,950, the typical Taos County household income is 10% below the median U.S. county ($65,681).
| Band | Taos County | Compared with New Mexico |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 31.1% | +2.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 39.5% | -1.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 22.6% | -0.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.8% | -1.0 pts |
The spread is wide: 29% of Taos County households make $100,000 or more, and 31% make less than $35,000. Census counts 15.5% of Taos County residents in poverty, against 17.8% across New Mexico. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.512 (0 is perfect equality). For a borrower in Taos County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Taos County housing compared with New Mexico
Renters in Taos County pay a median of $1,034 a month, 3% below the New Mexico figure of $1,067. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 56% of renter households here. Home values center on $382,800, or 6.5 years of median income. 78% of Taos County households own their home and 22% rent.
| Cost | Taos County | New Mexico figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,034/mo | $1,067/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $382,800 | $248,100 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 78% | 70% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 56% | 50% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 36% | 29% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 13.7% | 15.5% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Taos County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it. When half or more of renters are already stretched, a new payment needs a stress test: what happens if a paycheck is a week late?
Employment and commuting in Taos County
Education and health care employs 21% of working residents, the largest share; arts, lodging and food service is next with 16%. The sharpest difference from the state is in arts, lodging and food service, at 16% locally and 10% for New Mexico. The survey's unemployment rate for Taos County averages 7.6% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 6.0%). Long commutes are common here: 19% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. Only 3.0% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Top industries | Taos County share | +/- vs New Mexico |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 20.8% | -4.9 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 15.9% | +5.9 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 12.3% | -0.7 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.2% | +1.5 pts |
| Construction | 11.1% | +3.5 pts |
| Public administration | 7.0% | -0.4 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Taos County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Taos County next to its neighbors
Distances run center to center, from Costilla County at 50 miles out to Los Alamos County at 61. Income ranges from $36,861 in Costilla County to $147,139 in Los Alamos County; 1 of these neighbors top Taos County's median. The list crosses into Colorado, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taos County | - | $58,950 | $1,034/mo | 78% |
| Costilla County, CO | 50 mi | $36,861 | $927/mo | 79% |
| Conejos County, CO | 53 mi | $50,978 | $748/mo | 77% |
| Colfax County, NM | 55 mi | $53,554 | $729/mo | 72% |
| Mora County, NM | 57 mi | $53,663 | $887/mo | 87% |
| Rio Arriba County, NM | 59 mi | $57,155 | $740/mo | 80% |
| Los Alamos County, NM | 61 mi | $147,139 | $1,375/mo | 75% |
Places inside Taos County
Here are the 14 most populous of the county's 17 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 54% of Taos County residents live in one of the 17. Incomes vary by place: $62,348 at the median in Arroyo Seco, $39,375 in Taos Pueblo. None of the 17 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taos | town | 6,458 | $47,304 | $883 | 14 mi |
| Ranchos de Taos | CDP | 2,536 | n/a | n/a | 15 mi |
| Questa | village | 2,466 | $47,308 | $703 | 10 mi |
| Arroyo Seco | CDP | 2,112 | $62,348 | $1,634 | 5 mi |
| Taos Pueblo | CDP | 1,129 | $39,375 | $1,125 | 9 mi |
| Talpa | CDP | 955 | $49,167 | n/a | 17 mi |
| Peñasco | CDP | 546 | $45,833 | $963 | 28 mi |
| Rio Lucio | CDP | 485 | $45,000 | $1,089 | 27 mi |
| Costilla | CDP | 450 | n/a | n/a | 28 mi |
| Red River | town | 450 | $22,384 | $933 | 15 mi |
| Chamisal | CDP | 300 | $37,375 | $950 | 29 mi |
| Vadito | CDP | 264 | $62,083 | $938 | 27 mi |
| San Cristobal | CDP | 203 | $78,472 | n/a | 2 mi |
| Arroyo Hondo | CDP | 74 | n/a | n/a | 3 mi |
CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.
People and households in Taos County
College graduates make up 39% of the adult population. About 8% go without health insurance.
| Measure | Taos County | New Mexico statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 52.6 | 39.4 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 38.5% | 31.0% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 7.8% | 12.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 7.7% | 9.6% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.0% | 5.6% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 19.7% | 12.2% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 15.5% | 17.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 7.6% | 6.0% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Taos County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 32.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 30.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 18.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 10.7% |
| 60+ min | 8.3% |
Local borrowing considerations for Taos County
A few patterns in the Taos County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Commuter costs. 19% drive 45 minutes or more. Compare shop financing with a loan, and keep a small repair fund.
- 14% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Older households. A 52.6 median age means fixed-income borrowing is common; a fixed payment and short term limit risk.
- Tight rental budgets. With 56% of Taos County renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
Debt-to-income at Taos County's medians
How much room does a median Taos County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Start: $4,912 gross per month ($58,950 / 12)
- Housing at the median rent of $1,034 uses 21%
- 36% debt-to-income limit: $734 left for all other debt payments
If your rent is above $1,034, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Lender oversight for Taos County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Taos County resident can confirm its license with the New Mexico Financial Institutions Division. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. More on New Mexico: New Mexico personal loans.
Before you sign
Steps that save money for Taos County residents:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Only work with lenders licensed for New Mexico borrowers.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
More guides for Taos County
For statewide rules and data, see the New Mexico guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Taos County household make?
About $58,950 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 8% below the New Mexico median.
Is Taos County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $1,034 against $1,067 statewide, and 56% of renter households are cost-burdened.
I own my home in Taos County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 78% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
I live in a small Taos County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Taos, Ranchos de Taos, Questa, Arroyo Seco, Taos Pueblo and 12 more.
Can Taos County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every New Mexico county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.