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Taos, NM

Cost of living in Taos County, NM

Estimated monthly cost
$2,595/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 34,516 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $934 36%
Healthcare $480 18%
Groceries $326 13%
Federal tax $318 12%
Transport $250 10%
Energy $130 5%
State tax $97 4%
Water $60 2%

Rent in Taos County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$808
per month
1 bedroom
$934
per month
2 bedroom
$1,070
per month
3 bedroom
$1,368
per month
4 bedroom
$1,797
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Taos County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$58,908
per year
Individual earnings
$29,502
per year
Per capita
$40,018
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Taos County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$354,000
Annual property tax
$1,164

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Taos County

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$92
per month · 15.4¢/kWh
Natural gas
$38
per month
Annual total
$1,560
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Taos County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
8.1%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Taos County

State and local tax rates for New Mexico.

State income tax
5.9%
Top marginal rate
State sales tax
5.0%
Combined sales tax
7.7%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Taos County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
23.6 min
Drive alone
66.7%
Public transit
0.5%
Work from home
17.4%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Taos County

What it costs to live in Taos County each month.

Single person
$2,595
per month
  • Rent $934
  • Energy $130
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $326
  • Transport $250
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $318
  • State tax $97
Couple
$3,901
per month
  • Rent $1,070
  • Energy $156
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $540
  • Transport $350
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $634
  • State tax $217
Family
$6,319
per month
  • Rent $1,368
  • Energy $195
  • Water $85
  • Groceries $820
  • Transport $450
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $634
  • State tax $217

Frequently asked questions about Taos County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Taos County?

In Taos County, NM, a one-bedroom apartment averages $934 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,070 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,368 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Taos County?

In Taos County, NM, the average household income is $58,908 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $29,502 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Taos County?

The estimated cost of living in Taos County, NM is approximately $2,595 per month for a single person, $3,901 for a couple, $6,319 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Taos County?

The combined sales tax rate in Taos County, NM is 7.72%, which includes the New Mexico state rate of 5.00% plus an average local rate of 2.72%.

Is Taos County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Taos County, NM would need approximately $2,595 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $58,908 per year ($4,909 per month). Taos County has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Taos County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Taos County, NM is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 8.1% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Taos County?

The average home value in Taos County, NM is $354,000, with average annual property taxes of $1,164, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Taos County compare to other areas?

You can compare Taos County, NM with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Taos County is in the Taos, NM metro area.

Other counties in New Mexico

Browse the full list of counties in New Mexico, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in New Mexico

Compare Taos County with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP