Otero County Property Taxes

Otero County, New Mexico

Effective Tax Rate

0.00%

19.4% below state avg

Median Annual Tax

$0

$70/mo escrow

#20 of 33 counties in New Mexico

Estimate Your Tax

$
$50K$2M

Annual Tax

$0

Monthly

$0

Eff. Rate

0.56%

vs. New Mexico Avg19.4% below
vs. National Avg68.7% below

At a Glance

Median Home Value

$149,500

State avg $181,648

Tax w/ Mortgage/yr

$976

$81/mo escrow

Tax w/o Mortgage/yr

$672

$56/mo

State Tax Rate Rank

#20

of 33 counties (1 = lowest)

Data Story

About Property Taxes in Otero County, New Mexico

Otero's taxes stay well below the nation

Otero County's effective tax rate of 0.563% is substantially lower than the national median, with a typical homeowner paying $841 annually on the median property value. This represents a 69% savings compared to the national median tax bill of $2,690, placing Otero among the most affordable counties in America.

Otero slightly below state average

Otero County's 0.563% rate runs slightly below New Mexico's state average of 0.595%, with a median tax of $841 compared to the state median of $1,043. This positions Otero as a moderate-tax county within the state, offering reasonable property tax costs relative to state norms.

Otero's rate sits in the middle tier

Otero's 0.563% rate falls between Mora (0.535%) and Luna (0.576%), making it solidly mid-range for this cluster of rural southern New Mexico counties. Among its regional peers, Otero offers balanced tax rates without the extremes seen in McKinley or the lowest rates of Mora.

Median Otero home: $841 annual tax

On Otero's median home value of $149,500, property owners pay approximately $841 in annual taxes, reflecting the county's moderate rate and higher property values. Homeowners with mortgages typically pay $976 after insurance and fees, while those owning outright pay around $672.

Challenge your assessment if overstated

Otero homeowners with higher-value properties should verify that their assessments align with recent comparable sales in the area. If your home is assessed above market value, an appeal can recover hundreds of dollars in annual tax savings.

How Otero County Compares

Median Annual Property Tax

Otero County$841
New Mexico State Average$1,043
National Average$1,924

Otero County

0.56%

Effective rate

New Mexico Avg

0.57%

Effective rate

National Avg

0.91%

Effective rate

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the property tax rate in Otero County, New Mexico?
The effective property tax rate in Otero County, New Mexico is 0.56%. This rate is calculated by dividing the median property tax payment by the median home value in the county.
How much are property taxes in Otero County?
The median annual property tax payment in Otero County is $841. Homeowners with a mortgage pay a median of $976, while those without a mortgage pay $672.
How does Otero County compare to the New Mexico average?
Otero County's effective tax rate of 0.56% is lower than the New Mexico state average of 0.57%. The median annual property tax in Otero County is $841, compared to the state average of $1,043.
What is the median home value in Otero County, New Mexico?
The median home value in Otero County, New Mexico is $149,500, according to U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates.
Is Otero County a low property tax area in New Mexico?
Yes — Otero County's effective property tax rate of 0.56% is below the New Mexico average of 0.57%. The median annual property tax of $841 is also lower the state average of $1,043, making it a relatively affordable area for property taxes.
How does Otero County rank for property taxes in New Mexico?
Otero County ranks #20 out of 33 counties in New Mexico by effective property tax rate (1 = lowest). With a rate of 0.56% and median annual tax of $841, it falls in the middle third of counties statewide.

Counties with Similar Tax Rates

Nearby Counties

Other Counties in New Mexico

Data updated: March 2026

Data from U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates. Effective tax rate is calculated as median property tax divided by median home value.