What are the schools like in Taos, NM?

Taos is served primarily by TAOS. The district operates 5 elementary schools, 1 middle schools, and 3 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 12.0:1.

What is the median household income in Taos?

The median household income in Taos, NM is $40,185 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 8.9%.

What is the weather like in Taos, NM?

Taos has an average high temperature of 42.1°F in January and 86.5°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 12.7 inches and annual snowfall averages 28.4 inches.

Taos, NM Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Taos, NM affordable or expensive?

Taos's cost of living index is 97, where 100 represents the national average. This means Taos is 3% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $336,400 and the median rent is $953 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Taos, NM?

Taos has a violent crime rate of 936.6 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 5978.8 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Taos, NM a Good Place to Live?

Taos is a small town of 6,458 in New Mexico, with a median household income of $40,185 and a 8.9% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 97 (US average = 100), which is 3% below the national average.

Strengths: Taos stands out for an affordable cost of living, solid school ratings (B), a well-educated population, short average commutes.

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include a higher-than-average crime index, an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Taos is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Taos city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 96.8

Taos's overall cost of living index is 96.8, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Taos costs roughly 3% less than the average American city.

Metric	Taos, NM	National Avg
Median Home Value	$336,400	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$953	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	59.6%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$40,185	$74,755

Crime & Safety

High Crime

Taos's violent crime rate is 936.6 per 100,000 residents — 146% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

936.6 /100k

Property Crime

5978.8 /100k

Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.

Schools & Education

Taos is served primarily by TAOS. The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.0:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Taos, NM	National Avg
School District	TAOS	—
Elementary Schools	5	—
Middle Schools	1	—
High Schools	3	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	12.0:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	37.9%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	88.7%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Taos sees average highs of 42.1°F in January and 86.5°F in July, with 12.7 inches of annual precipitation and 28.4 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Taos, NM
Average High — January	42.1°F
Average High — July	86.5°F
Annual Precipitation	12.7"
Annual Snowfall	28.4"

Demographics

Metric	Taos, NM	National Avg
Population	6,458	—
Median Age	49.3	38.9
Unemployment Rate	8.9%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	22.3 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	65.1%	59.3%
Black or African American	0.3%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	28.2%	18.9%
Asian	1.1%	6.3%
Under 18	12.0%	22.2%
65 and over	32.4%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Ranchos de Taos, NM 2 mi Talpa, NM 3 mi Taos Pueblo, NM 6 mi Arroyo Seco, NM 9 mi Arroyo Hondo CDP (Taos County), NM 11 mi

Taos vs Other Cities

Taos, NM vs Ranchos de Taos, NM Taos, NM vs Talpa, NM Taos, NM vs Taos Pueblo, NM Taos, NM vs Arroyo Seco, NM Taos, NM vs Arroyo Hondo CDP (Taos County), NM

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Taos, NM affordable or expensive?

Taos's cost of living index is 97, where 100 is the national average. That makes Taos roughly 3% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $336,400 and median rent is $953/month.

What is the crime rate in Taos, NM?

Taos's violent crime rate is 936.6 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 5978.8 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Taos?

Public schools in Taos are operated by TAOS. The district has 5 elementary, 1 middle, and 3 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.0:1. 37.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Taos, NM a good place to live?

Taos, NM has a population of 6,458, a median household income of $40,185, and an unemployment rate of 8.9%. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in Taos?

Taos averages 42.1°F in January and 86.5°F in July. Annual rainfall is 12.7 inches with about 28.4 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What is the population of Taos?

The population of Taos, New Mexico is 6,458 with a median age of 49.3. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Taos?

Key numbers for living in Taos: cost of living index 97 (100 = US average), median home $336,400, median household income $40,185, crime index 262 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Taos side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.