Compare states / New Mexico
NM
Compare New Mexico with other states
New Mexico, home to about 2.1 million people, is the 6th-least densely populated state at 18 people per square mile. Wages are taxed at a top rate of 5.9%; its effective property-tax rate of 0.63% is close to the middle (34th-highest of 50). The median home value, $319,165, ranks 31st-highest of 50. Its reported violent-crime rate, 717 per 100,000 residents, is the 2nd-highest among the 50 states.
Data: New Mexico (tax.newmexico.gov, mvd.newmexico.gov); Tax Foundation 2026, Experian/Zillow, Census, FBI, NPS. Jump to sources · Methodology
Taxes and housing
| State income tax | Top listed rate 5.9% |
|---|---|
| Average sales tax (state + local) | 7.67% |
| Average property tax (real estate) | 0.63% effective |
| Personal property tax (vehicles) | No annual vehicle personal-property tax |
| Social Security tax | Exempt if AGI is under $100,000 (single), $150,000 (joint, head of household, or surviving spouse), or $75,000 (married filing separately). Above those limits, federally taxable benefits are taxed. |
| Estate tax | No state estate tax. |
| Inheritance tax | No state inheritance tax. |
| Minimum wage | Statewide minimum wage $12.00. |
| Median home value | $319,165 |
Car title and license
| Tax on buying/titling a car | 4.88% |
|---|---|
| Title fee | $5.00 |
| Registration (base) | $27.00 |
| Car inspection | Varies by county — confirm locally |
| Nurse license from another state | Usually transfers (compact) |
Parks and people
| State parks | 35 |
|---|---|
| National parks | 2 |
| Population | 2,124,222 |
| Population density | 18.0 per sq mi |
| Demographics | 36.8% White (non-Hispanic) 49.3% Hispanic 2.2% Black 1.8% Asian |
| Violent crime | 717.1 per 100,000 |
Estimated income tax in New Mexico
Uses 2026 single-filer tax brackets (top listed rate 5.9%) after a per-dependent exemption. Not your actual tax bill.
Estimate car title cost in New Mexico
Uses this state’s title fee, plate, base registration, and 4.88% tax. County extras are not included.
Your move
Your to-do list in New Mexico
- Get an NM driver license within 30 days. Bring your current license, Social Security number, and two proofs you live in New Mexico.
- Title and register the car within 30 days. Inspection: Varies by county — confirm locally.
- Make sure car insurance meets 25/50/25.
- Register to vote. New Mexico elections site.
- Nurse license: New Mexico is in the nurse compact, so a compact RN license often still works. Confirm with the board of nursing if you are changing primary residence.
- Enrolling a kindergartner? Kindergarten age cutoff in New Mexico: September 1. Compare kindergarten cutoffs by state.
How New Mexico compares
Top listed income-tax rate: 5.9% in New Mexico vs 13.3% in California (lower in New Mexico).
Use the picker above for any other state. Published comparison pages that include New Mexico are listed here.
Sources
Compiled 2026. Statewide figures; counties can differ.
- State income tax. Tax Foundation, State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets, 2026.
- Average sales tax (state + local). Tax Foundation, State and Local Sales Tax Rates, January 2026.
- Average property tax (real estate). Tax Foundation, Property Taxes by State and County, 2026.
- Personal property tax (vehicles). WalletHub, Property Taxes by State, 2026 (vehicle table).
- Social Security tax. New Mexico Social Security tax.
- Estate tax. New Mexico has no state estate tax (NM tax agency).
- Inheritance tax. New Mexico has no state inheritance tax (NM tax agency).
- Minimum wage. New Mexico $12.00.
- Median home value. Experian / Zillow, Median Home Values by State, March 2026.
- Tax on buying/titling a car. New Mexico 4.88%.
- State parks. New Mexico 35. Official designated state parks.
- National parks. National Park Service, National Park System (units designated National Park on the National Park Service system list; parks that sit in more than one state are counted in each; NM 2).
- Population / density. U.S. Census Bureau, state population estimates · PopClock people per sq. mi..
- Demographics. U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (NM).
- Violent crime per 100,000. FBI Uniform Crime Reports, 2024 (state rates table).
- Days to get a license. New Mexico 30 days.
- Days to title a car. New Mexico 30 days.
Data last updated: September 2026. How the data is compiled