Property tax in McKinley County, New Mexico
The median property tax bill in McKinley County, New Mexico is $1,574 a year, which is about 2% of the county's median home value of $78,700. That effective rate is higher than the typical New Mexico county (0.55%) and higher than the national median (0.81%). These are American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2024); your own bill depends on your home's assessed value and any exemptions.
Estimate the property tax on a home in McKinley County
Enter a home's market value for a ballpark at McKinley County's average effective rate of 2% (Census). The real bill depends on the home's assessed value, the millage where it sits and any exemptions.
Estimated property tax: $1,574 / year
Property tax in McKinley County at a glance
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Median annual property tax | $1,574 |
| Median home value | $78,700 |
| Effective tax rate | 2% |
| Typical New Mexico county rate | 0.55% |
| National median county rate | 0.81% |
Effective rate = median real estate taxes paid divided by median home value. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
How does McKinley County compare in New Mexico?
Among New Mexico's 33 counties, McKinley County has the highest effective property-tax rate. That places it among the most heavily taxed counties in the state. Nationally, it ranks 85th of 3135 US counties by effective rate. See every New Mexico county ranked.
How much do homeowners in McKinley County actually pay?
The median is only the middle bill. Across McKinley County's 14,900 owner-occupied homes, 2.7% pay $3,000 or more a year in property tax, 8.9% pay at least $2,000, and 6.6% pay under $800. Another 73.4% report paying no property tax at all, which usually means an exemption covers the whole bill.
| Annual bill | Homes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Under $800 | 990 | 6.6% |
| $800 to $1,499 | 877 | 5.9% |
| $1,500 to $1,999 | 788 | 5.3% |
| $2,000 to $2,999 | 917 | 6.2% |
| $3,000 or more | 395 | 2.7% |
| No property tax paid | 10,933 | 73.4% |
Owners with a mortgage pay a median of $1,809 and owners without one pay $1,128. Owners who have paid off a home have usually held it longer, and in states that cap how fast an existing owner's assessment can rise, long-held homes carry lower assessed values. Census table B25103.
How does the McKinley County property tax bill compare with local incomes?
The median property tax bill of $1,574 is about 3.2% of the median income of McKinley County homeowner households, $49,555 a year. That compares two middles, so a retiree in a long-held home can pay a far larger share. 69.8% of McKinley County's occupied homes are lived in by their owners; renters pay property tax too, just folded into rent.
Have property taxes gone up in McKinley County?
Yes. The median bill went from $1,143 in 2015-2019 to $1,574 in 2020-2024, a 37.7% rise. Over the same span the median home value moved 21.5%, from $64,800 to $78,700. Bills rose faster than values, which usually means local rates went up or an exemption shrank.
Two Census ACS 5-year periods with no survey years in common, in each period's own dollars. A change counts only if it exceeds the combined 90% margin of error.
Property tax in counties next to McKinley County
McKinley County borders 4 counties, 1 of them across the state line.
| County | Effective rate | Median bill | Median home value |
|---|---|---|---|
| McKinley County, NM (this county) | 2% | $1,574 | $78,700 |
| Apache County, AZ | 0.9% | $572 | $63,700 |
| Cibola County, NM | 0.8% | $1,003 | $125,400 |
| Sandoval County, NM | 0.73% | $2,296 | $313,800 |
| San Juan County, NM | 0.68% | $1,317 | $193,800 |
How is a home assessed in McKinley County?
New Mexico assesses homes at 33.33% of market value in every county, McKinley County included. How New Mexico assesses and reappraises homes.
Is there a homestead exemption in McKinley County?
Yes, for a head of family. New Mexico's exemption takes $2,000 off taxable value, often saving $50 to $90 a year. That is the New Mexico rule, and it applies in McKinley County. New Mexico's exemptions and relief programs in full.
When are property taxes due in McKinley County?
County treasurers mail bills around November 1. Tax is payable in two equal installments, the first due November 10 and the second due April 10 of the following year. You get a one month grace period on each: interest starts if the first half is not paid by December 10 or the second half by May 10.
New Mexico splits the bill into 2 installments. That is the New Mexico rule. McKinley County issues and collects the bill, so the dates printed on your statement are the ones that bind you.
How to appeal your McKinley County property assessment
You contest the assessed value with the the county valuation protests board, reached by petitioning the county assessor. The filing deadline is typically 30 days after the assessor mails your notice of valuation. That is the New Mexico rule; McKinley County sets the exact dates and forms. The New Mexico appeal process step by step.
New Mexico rules from primary state sources, reviewed September 7, 2026; sources on the New Mexico page.
Work out your own numbers
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How much house can I afford?
Your income, debts and down payment against the 28/36 rule lenders actually use, with McKinley County's tax rate to hand.
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Mortgage calculator
Monthly payment with principal, interest, tax and insurance, plus what an extra payment saves you.
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New Mexico income tax
Brackets, standard deduction and what New Mexico actually taxes.
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Sales tax in McKinley County
The other local tax: combined state and local rate for this county.
Sources
- Median real estate taxes paid and median home value for McKinley County, New Mexico: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2020-2024), tables B25103, B25077, B25102, B25119 and B25003; the five-year comparison uses the 2015-2019 estimates. Neighboring counties: Census county adjacency file.