Living in Taos, New Mexico
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Taos · Census data 2020–2024
Taos has 6,458 residents with a median age of 53.7. The median household income is $47,304 (26% lower than the New Mexico median), the median home value is $445,900, the median rent is $883/month.
Taos at a glance
- Population
- 6,458
- Median age
- 53.7State: 39.4
- Median household income
- $47,304State: $64,059
- Median home value
- $445,900State: $248,100
- Median rent
- $883/moState: $1,067
- Homeowners
- 59.3%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 39%
- Average commute
- 26 min
Is Taos a good place to live?
Pros: A poverty rate of 13.7%.
Cons: Median household income 26% lower than the New Mexico median; home values 80% higher than the state median; an average commute of 26 minutes; unemployment of 10.6%.
The weather is best in May to July and September.
Cost of living in Taos
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Taos the median home value is $445,900, 34% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $883 per month, which is 29.1% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,770 a month in housing costs.
Taos median household income
The median household income in Taos is $47,304 and the income per person is $45,132. 13.7% of residents live below the poverty line (New Mexico: 17.8%).
Housing in Taos: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 4,114
- Owner-occupied
- 59.3%
- Renter-occupied
- 40.7%
- Vacant
- 23.7%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1980
- Average household size
- 1.98
Taos demographics
- Population
- 6,458
- Median age
- 53.7
- Under 18
- 11.6%
- 65 and older
- 31.3%
- Households
- 3,138
- Foreign-born
- 11.2%
- Veterans
- 5.3%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Taos ›
Education in Taos
39% of adults 25 and older in Taos have a bachelor's degree or higher (New Mexico: 31%), and 19.8% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Taos
- Unemployment rate
- 10.6%State: 6%
- Average commute
- 26 minState: 24 min
- Work from home
- 15.3%
- Drive alone
- 67.7%
- Public transit
- 1.3%
- Walk to work
- 5.9%
- Homes with broadband
- 83.8%
Taos vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taos | 6,458 | $47,304 | $445,900 | $883 |
| Talpa | 955 | $49,167 | $387,300 | — |
| Taos Pueblo | 1,129 | $39,375 | $371,600 | $1,125 |
| Arroyo Seco | 2,112 | $62,348 | $603,500 | $1,634 |
| Vadito | 264 | $62,083 | $195,000 | $938 |
| Rio Lucio | 485 | $45,000 | $180,100 | $1,089 |
| San Cristobal | 203 | $78,472 | $385,400 | — |
| Peñasco | 546 | $45,833 | $229,300 | $963 |
| Chamisal | 300 | $37,375 | $221,800 | $950 |
More for people moving to Taos
Taos ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Taos: FAQ
What is the median household income in Taos, NM?
The median household income in Taos is $47,304, 26% lower than the New Mexico median of $64,059 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Taos?
The median home value in Taos is $445,900, compared with $248,100 in New Mexico.
How much is rent in Taos?
The median gross rent in Taos is $883 per month, about 29.1% of household income.
Is Taos, NM a good place to live?
Pluses: a poverty rate of 13.7%. Minuses: median household income 26% lower than the New Mexico median; home values 80% higher than the state median; an average commute of 26 minutes; unemployment of 10.6%.
What is the median age in Taos?
The median age in Taos is 53.7 years (New Mexico: 39.4).
How long is the commute in Taos?
The average commute to work in Taos is 26 minutes; 15.3% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Taos?
The unemployment rate in Taos is 10.6% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Taos?
39% of adults in Taos have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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