Taos, NM

New Mexico

Taos is a small city in New Mexico with a population of 6,468. Residents earn $46,579 per year, which is 38% below the national average.

2.4 /5.0
C Fair
6,468 Population 1,069/sq mi density
$46,579 Median Income $40,667 per capita
$432,700 Home Value $431,554 Zillow
$915 Median Rent
49°F Avg Temperature
941 Violent Crime/100K 10,650 property/100K
C
Overall
2.4 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.3 / 5.0
$46,579 median income, 3.9% unemployment
F
Affordability
1.4 / 5.0
$432,700 home value, $915/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
941 violent crimes/100K (148% above avg)
B+
Education
3.9 / 5.0
36.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $46,579
38% lower than US avg
Home Value $432,700
53% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 941/100K
148% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 36.2%
7% higher than US avg
Median Rent $915
21% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 28.7%
11% lower than US avg
Unemployment 3.9%
8% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 12.5%
1% higher than US avg

How Taos Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population6,468
Median Age52.2 yrs
Density1,069/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 61%

Economy

B
Median Income$46,579
Per Capita$40,667
Unemployment3.9%
Poverty12.5%
County GDP$1,521M
Commute22 min

Housing

F
Home Value$432,700
Rent$915
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$431,554

Crime

F
Violent941/100K
Property10,650/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault784/100K
Burglary3,382/100K

Health

Obesity28.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression24.1%
Heart Disease5.7%

Climate

Avg Temp49°F
AQI16 (Good)
Rain12.7 in/yr
Elevation6,957 ft

Education

B+
Bachelor's+36.2%
High School+87.9%
School Score4.34

Community

2024 VoteR 25% / D 72%
Commute22 min
EV Stations13
Libraries4

Is Taos a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Taos receives an overall livability score of 2.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, high housing costs, below-average incomes. Taos has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Taos is $46,579, 38% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.9%, indicating a healthy job market. 12.5% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Taos is $432,700, making it a premium housing market at 53% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $915 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. With a home price-to-income ratio of 9.3x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Safety & Crime

With 941 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, public safety is a notable concern — this is significantly above the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 10,650 per 100,000, 443% above the national average.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 36.2% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 87.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.3/10.

Climate & Weather

Taos experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 49°F. Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 12.7 inches, including 28.4 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 16.

Taos has a population of 6,468 with a density of 1,069 people per square mile. The median age is 52.2 years, 34% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (61.4%), with 2.1% Hispanic.

Population

6,468
Total Population
1,069
People / sq mi
52.2yrs
Median Age
34% above US avg
6.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.2%
Female 48.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Taos vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only70.3%
10% below US avg
Spanish29.7%
122% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Taos vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Taos is $46,579, which is 38% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.9% (above the 3.6% US average). 12.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Income: Taos vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$46,579
38% below US avg
Per Capita Income$40,667
Avg Weekly Wage$873
IRS Avg AGI$56,455

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.9%
8% above US avg
Poverty Rate12.5%
1% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,449
County GDP$1,521M

Business (County)

Restaurants151
Healthcare105
Retail194
Manufacturing33

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,363
4% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate0.78%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time22.3 min
Work from Home12.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Taos is $432,700, 53% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $915 (21% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $431,554.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$432,700
53% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$431,554
Median List Price$524,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$524,000
$/Sq Ft$370
Homes Sold10
Sale-to-List Ratio0.0%
Price Drops22.2%
Inventory45

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$915
21% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$2,300

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$908
1 Bedroom$1,072
2 Bedrooms$1,279
3 Bedrooms$1,593
4 Bedrooms$2,146

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied60.1%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,363
4% below US avg
Effective Rate0.78%
In Taos, 28.7% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 24.1% report depression. 23.7% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Taos vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity28.7%
11% below US avg
Diabetes11.0%
Heart Disease5.7%
High Blood Pressure29.2%
Asthma10.1%
COPD5.8%
Stroke3.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.9%
Physical Inactivity23.7%
Depression24.1%
Mental Distress17.0%
Physical Distress14.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate92.6%
Checkup Rate65.3%
Premature Death12,930/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.9/10
Exercise Access79.2%
Healthcare Facilities105
Taos has a violent crime rate of 941 per 100,000 residents, 148% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 10,650 per 100,000 (443% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Taos vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent941.3/100K
148% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape52.3/100K
Robbery104.6/100K
Assault784.4/100K

Property Crime

Total Property10,650.2/100K
443% above US avg
Burglary3,381.6/100K
Theft6,954.9/100K
Vehicle Theft313.8/100K
Arson52.3/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)7

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Taos has an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation is 12.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 16.

Temperature

27°F Jan (-3°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average48.5°F
10% below US avg
January Average27°F (-3°C)
July Average70°F (21°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall12.7 inches
67% below US avg
Snowfall28.4 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median16.0
RatingGood
Good Days %97.0%
Unhealthy Days0

Geography

Elevation6,957 ft (2,120 m)
Area6.1 sq mi (15.7 km²)
Population Density1,069/sq mi
Coordinates36.3871°N, 105.5804°W
County FIPS35055
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 36.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (7% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 47.5-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 24.9%
D 72.4%

Winner: Democrat by 47.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+36.2%
7% above US avg
High School+87.9%
School Test Score4.34
B+ Education Grade (3.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density1,069/sq mi
Total Area6.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations13
Alt Fuel Stations15
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities105
Restaurants151
Retail Stores194

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)7
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute22.3 min
Work from Home12.5%

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