What is the property tax rate in San Juan County?

The combined effective property tax rate in San Juan County, New Mexico is approximately 0.65%.

San Juan County Property Tax Calculator (2026) — New Mexico Property Tax Almanac

Property Tax in San Juan County, 2026

A calculator and field guide for Farmington-area homeowners — and for anyone considering a move to San Juan County — including New Mexico's 33.33% assessment ratio (taxable value = 1/3 of FMV), the universal $2,000 Head of Family Exemption, the unique Yield Control formula (limits annual revenue growth to inflation, capped at 5%), the 3% annual residential AV cap (NM Const. Art. VIII), the 20-mill constitutional rate cap, the Senior Valuation Freeze (true 0% increase for 65+ at or below ~$44,200 income), the $10,000 universal Veteran Exemption (raised from $4,000 in 2025), the FULL Disabled Veterans Exemption (100% service-connected, NMSA §7-37-5.1), and the NEW Proportional Disabled Veteran Exemption (10-99% rating, effective 2026 per Constitutional Amendment 1). Effective rates ~0.55-0.85% statewide median (~0.63% per Tax Foundation).

San Juan County operates under New Mexico's 33.33% taxable-value system. Property is valued at FMV, taxable value = 1/3 × FMV, then tax = taxable value × millage / 1,000. Combined millage typically 25-40 mills (~0.83-1.33% gross before exemptions). NM's structural protections — the Yield Control formula (revenue-growth cap), constitutional 3% annual residential AV cap, $2,000 Head of Family Exemption, Senior Valuation Freeze (true 0%), and one of the most generous veteran exemption structures in the US — combine to keep effective rates ~0.55-0.85% statewide.

How the bill is built

The San Juan County New Mexico Assessor determines FMV annually as of January 1. Taxable value = FMV × 1/3 (so a $300K home has TV = $100K). Subtract $2,000 Head of Family Exemption (NMSA §7-37-4) for NM resident heads of household. Tax = TV × millage / 1,000. San Juan's combined millage is ~20 mills (~0.65% effective post-exemption). Veterans get an additional $10,000 exemption (raised from $4,000 by HB 47 in 2025); 100% disabled vets are FULLY exempt (no income or value cap).

NM's Yield Control formula (NMSA §7-37-7.1) caps revenue growth from existing properties. When valuations rise sharply, mill rates auto-adjust DOWNWARD to prevent windfall revenue. Combined with the constitutional 3% annual residential AV cap (resets at sale — the "tax lightning" issue confirmed in Zhao v. Montoya 2014), it produces one of the most stable property tax bills in the US for long-term homeowners.

NM is among the most generous US states for veteran property tax relief. Three tiers: (1) Universal Veteran Exemption — $10,000 taxable-value reduction for any honorably discharged NM resident vet (raised from $4,000 in 2025 by HB 47); (2) 100% Service-Connected Disabled — FULL exemption on principal residence, no income or value cap; (3) NEW Proportional Disabled Veteran Exemption (effective TY2026 per Constitutional Amendment 1, Nov 2024) — proportional reduction for 10-99% disabled. NM joins the categorical full-vet-exemption states.

2026 San Juan County rate breakdown (consolidated millage per $1,000 of taxable value (33.33% AR × FMV), Aztec district)

Taxing entity	Rate
Combined county + municipal + school + special districts (~19.5 mills × 33.33% AR = ~0.65% effective, post $2,000 Head of Family)	19.5000
Combined total	19.5000

As of April 27, 2026 · From San Juan County New Mexico Assessor.

Note: San Juan County is **home to Farmington** — the cultural-economic anchor of northwestern New Mexico (the celebrated **"Four Corners"** region where New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, and Colorado meet). Farmington (~46K) is the largest city in northwestern New Mexico. Aztec (~6K, the seat) is named for the celebrated **Aztec Ruins National Monument** — the 12th-century Ancestral Pueblo (Anasazi) ruins preserved as a National Monument since 1923 (a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987). Anchored by Farmington, Aztec, Bloomfield, and Kirtland. The county is also home to substantial **Navajo Nation** tribal lands (the celebrated Navajo Nation, the largest federally-recognized Native American reservation in the United States, ~27,000 square miles, ~330,000 enrolled members — extends across northwestern New Mexico, northeastern Arizona, and southeastern Utah). Major employment includes substantial oil-and-gas industry (the **San Juan Basin** is one of the largest US natural gas production regions), **San Juan Generating Station** (the major coal-fired power plant — closed 2022), **San Juan Regional Medical Center**, and substantial Navajo Nation tribal employment.

Note: San Juan County effective property tax rates run approximately **0.65%** — low by New Mexico standards. Combined county + municipal + school district + special district millage is ~19.5 mills (× 33.33% AR = ~0.65% gross). Median home values around $190K (lower than ABQ-metro counties — driven by the rural northwestern New Mexico economy and energy-industry cyclicality) combined with the very low effective rate produce median annual bills around $1,235.

Note: For relocation buyers: San Juan County offers **the celebrated Four Corners + Navajo Nation northwestern New Mexico** option — substantial Navajo Nation cultural heritage, the celebrated Aztec Ruins National Monument, the iconic Four Corners Monument (the only point in the US where four states meet), substantial Lake Powell / Glen Canyon recreational opportunity, and exceptionally low cost of living. The trade-off: persistent population decline (Farmington peaked at ~46K in 2010, has been declining since), persistent oil-and-gas industry economic cyclicality, and substantial distance from major metropolitan amenities.

Deductions and exemptions for 2026

New Mexico homeowner property tax relief operates through five primary mechanisms: (1) the universal $2,000 Head of Family Exemption (NMSA §7-37-4), (2) the constitutional 3% annual residential AV cap (Sec. 7-36-21.2 NMSA, since 2001), (3) the Senior Valuation Freeze (true 0% increase for 65+ at or below ~$44,200 income), (4) the $10,000 universal Veteran Exemption (raised from $4,000 in 2025 by HB 47), and (5) the FULL Disabled Veterans Exemption (100% service-connected, NMSA §7-37-5.1) plus the NEW Proportional Disabled Veteran Exemption (10-99% rating, effective 2026 per Constitutional Amendment 1). Plus the unique structural protection of the Yield Control formula (limits annual revenue growth to inflation, capped at 5%).

$2,000 Head of Family Exemption (universal)

The Head of Family Exemption (NMSA §7-37-4) provides a universal $2,000 reduction in taxable value for any New Mexico resident head of household — saves ~$60-80/year at typical 30-40 mills. The exemption requires the property to be the applicant\'s primary residence (single-family owner-occupied dwelling) and the applicant to be a NM resident head of household. Apply once with County Assessor — the exemption persists in subsequent years (no annual renewal). New Mexico assessors estimate that ~10-15% of eligible NM homeowners fail to claim this exemption.

Yield Control formula (NMSA §7-37-7.1)

Yield Control is one of the most-restrictive revenue-growth limits in the United States. The formula limits annual property tax revenue growth from existing properties to the lower of (a) the implicit price deflator for state and local purchases of goods and services (capped at 5% statutorily) plus (b) the percentage increase in property value attributable to new construction. When valuations rise sharply, mill rates auto-adjust DOWNWARD to prevent windfall revenue increases. This is why New Mexico\'s effective rates have stayed remarkably stable around 0.55-0.85% statewide despite substantial home value appreciation since 2020. Yield Control applies only to operating levies, not debt service or special levies. **The combination of Yield Control + the 3% residential AV cap is structurally unique — it produces one of the most stable property tax bills in the United States for long-term homeowners.**

3% Annual Residential AV Cap (NMSA §7-36-21.2)

Effective since 2001, the 3% cap limits year-over-year value-driven AV increases to 3% per year for owner-occupied residential. Even if FMV rises 15%+ per year, taxable AV can only increase 3% per year. The cap RESETS at sale or upon major physical improvements — the celebrated "tax lightning" issue confirmed in Zhao v. Montoya (2014 NM Supreme Court). The reset can produce dramatic tax-bill spikes for new buyers who acquire property from long-term owners. Caps do NOT apply to new construction (first-year valuation) or solar improvements (specifically excluded by statute).

Senior Valuation Freeze (NMSA §7-36-21.3)

For owners 65+ or permanently disabled with modified gross income at or below $44,200 (2026, indexed), the AV is FROZEN at the level when first qualified — true 0% annual increase (more restrictive than the universal 3% cap). This is one of the most-progressive senior property tax protections in the United States. Apply with County Assessor.

$10,000 Universal Veteran Exemption + FULL 100% Disabled Vet Exemption + NEW Proportional 10-99% Exemption (2026)

New Mexico is one of the most-generous US states for veteran property tax relief — and got even more generous starting 2026. Three tiers: (1) Universal Veteran Exemption: $10,000 reduction in taxable value (raised from $4,000 in 2025 by HB 47, indexed annually for inflation, applies regardless of disability status). (2) 100% Service-Connected Disabled Veteran Exemption: FULL property tax exemption on principal residence — no income cap, no value cap, applies to any 100% rating including temporary 100%. (3) NEW Proportional Disabled Veteran Exemption (effective 2026 tax year, per Constitutional Amendment 1 approved by NM voters November 2024 and implemented by HB 47 in 2025): veterans rated 10-99% service-connected disabled receive an exemption proportional to their VA rating (70% rating = 70% reduction, etc.). NM joins WI, MI, IA, MN, NJ, PA, VA, MD, SC, AL, LA, MS, AR, OK in providing categorical full vet exemption for 100% disabled. Apply with NM Department of Veterans\' Services for Certificate of Eligibility, then submit to County Assessor.

Appealing your assessment

New Mexico property tax appeals follow a 3-tier process. Level 1: County Protest Board (for county-assessed property) or Administrative Hearings Office (for centrally-assessed property by the Property Tax Division). File written protest within 30 days of receiving your Notice of Value (typically mailed in April-May). The Board holds informal hearings — present comparable sales, recent appraisals, condition documentation, or income/expense data for income-producing property. Level 2: District Court. If unresolved, appeal to district court within 30 days of Board decision. Alternative: pay-and-protest (pay the disputed tax, then file a refund claim in district court). Level 3: New Mexico Court of Appeals + Supreme Court. Most NM appeals are resolved at Level 1. Tax cycle: Notice of Value mailed April-May, taxes assessed November 1, payable in halves (first half due November 10, second half due April 10).

Cities and towns in San Juan County

San Juan County contains 4 incorporated municipalities, ranging from Aztec to the smallest village. Search volume for property tax is often city-specific, so here is the complete list — with population from the 2020 US Census, rounded to the nearest 100.

Data: US Census Bureau, 2020 Decennial Census. Populations rounded. Cities marked as "split" straddle a county border — the portion inside San Juan County is subject to San Juan County's tax rolls, while the portion outside is subject to the adjacent county's.

City or town	Type	Population (2020)
Farmington	city	46,000
Kirtland	Census-designated place	8,000
Bloomfield	city	7,000
Aztec County seat	city	6,000

About city-level property tax rates: The rate breakdown and calculator on this page reflect the Aztec tax district. Other cities in San Juan County may pay into different school districts, city rates, and special districts — so their combined rates can differ, sometimes substantially. Always verify the specific rates for your address with the San Juan County New Mexico Assessor before relying on any estimate.

Frequently asked questions

When are New Mexico property taxes due?

New Mexico property tax bills are mailed November 1 each year. Pay in halves: first half due November 10, second half due April 10. Late payments accrue penalty plus interest. Most homeowners pay through escrow via mortgage servicer. New Mexico\'s tax cycle starts with a Notice of Value mailed by the County Assessor in April-May; you have 30 days to file a protest if you disagree with the valuation.

What is New Mexico\'s 33.33% taxable value ratio?

New Mexico\'s constitutional system values property at FMV, then applies a 1/3 (33.33%) ratio to determine taxable value. So a $300K home has taxable value of $100K. Tax = taxable value × millage / 1,000. At typical 30 mills, the gross tax is $3,000 (before $2,000 Head of Family exemption reduces taxable value to $98K, producing tax of $2,940). New Mexico is one of just three US states to use a 1/3 taxable value ratio (the others being Tennessee and Mississippi for some classes).

How does the Yield Control formula work?

Yield Control (NMSA §7-37-7.1) is one of the most-restrictive revenue-growth limits in the United States. The formula limits annual property tax revenue growth from existing properties to the lower of (a) inflation (capped at 5% statutorily) plus (b) growth from new construction. When valuations rise sharply, mill rates auto-adjust DOWNWARD to prevent windfall revenue increases. This is why New Mexico\'s effective rates have stayed remarkably stable around 0.55-0.85% statewide despite substantial home value appreciation since 2020. Yield Control applies only to operating levies, not debt service or special levies.

How does the $2,000 Head of Family Exemption work?

The Head of Family Exemption (NMSA §7-37-4) provides a universal $2,000 reduction in taxable value for any New Mexico resident head of household — saves ~$60-80/year at typical 30-40 mills. Apply once with County Assessor — the exemption persists in subsequent years (no annual renewal). New Mexico assessors estimate that ~10-15% of eligible NM homeowners fail to claim this exemption.

How does the Senior Valuation Freeze work?

For owners 65+ or permanently disabled with modified gross income at or below $44,200 (2026, indexed), the AV is FROZEN at the level when first qualified — true 0% annual increase (more restrictive than the universal 3% cap). This is one of the most-progressive senior property tax protections in the United States. Apply with County Assessor.

How does the Disabled Veteran exemption work in New Mexico?

New Mexico is one of the most-generous US states for veteran property tax relief. Three tiers: (1) Universal Veteran Exemption: $10,000 reduction in taxable value (raised from $4,000 in 2025 by HB 47, indexed annually for inflation, applies regardless of disability status). (2) 100% Service-Connected Disabled Veteran Exemption: FULL property tax exemption on principal residence — no income cap, no value cap, applies to any 100% rating including temporary 100%. (3) NEW Proportional Disabled Veteran Exemption (effective 2026 tax year, per Constitutional Amendment 1 approved by NM voters November 2024 and implemented by HB 47): veterans rated 10-99% service-connected disabled receive an exemption proportional to their VA rating. Apply with NM Department of Veterans\' Services for Certificate of Eligibility, then submit to County Assessor.

How do I appeal my New Mexico assessment?

About San Juan County

Beyond the property tax — a few things you might not know about the place.

Weird fact

The **Four Corners Monument** (~50 miles west of Farmington in the Navajo Nation) is **the only point in the United States where four states meet at a single point** — Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah converge at a precise quadripoint. The monument is a National Park Service-administered site (operated jointly with the Navajo Nation Parks and Recreation Department) and is among the most-photographed roadside attractions in the southwestern United States — drawing ~250,000 annual visitors who pose for the celebrated "stand in four states at once" photograph. The original 1875 surveying of the Four Corners boundary was based on the **Compromise of 1850** (the federal legislation that admitted California as a free state and addressed slavery in the territories). Modern GPS surveys have shown that the precise quadripoint is approximately **1,800 feet east of the actual marker** — but the National Geodetic Survey has concluded that the original 1875 marker is the **legal** quadripoint (under the principle that the survey marker, once accepted by the states, becomes the legal boundary regardless of the underlying surveying error). Also notable: the **Aztec Ruins National Monument** preserves the celebrated 12th-century Ancestral Pueblo (sometimes called Anasazi) ruins — a 500-room Great House that was among the largest pre-Columbian architectural structures in North America. Modern Hopi and other Pueblo peoples consider the site ancestral.

Hometown hero

Navajo Code Talkers + Tony Hillerman

The celebrated **Navajo Code Talkers** of WWII — ~400 Navajo Marines who developed and used a secret military code based on the Navajo language during 1942-1945 (used in the Pacific Theater for radio communication that Japanese codebreakers were never able to decipher) — were predominantly recruited from the Navajo Nation in northwestern New Mexico (substantial San Juan and McKinley County) and northeastern Arizona. The Navajo Code Talkers received the Congressional Gold Medal in 2001. **Chester Nez** (1921-2014) — among the original 29 Navajo Code Talkers — was born in Two Wells, NM (San Juan County area). The annual **Navajo Code Talkers Day** (August 14) is recognized as a major national commemoration. **Tony Hillerman** (1925-2008) — the celebrated American mystery novelist, author of the 18-novel **Leaphorn and Chee** Navajo-themed mystery series — set most of his celebrated novels in the Four Corners region, particularly San Juan County and the Navajo Nation. Hillerman's novels (including *Skinwalkers* 1986 and *A Thief of Time* 1988) won 3 Edgar Awards and made the Navajo Nation a celebrated American literary setting. **Other notable San Juan County figures** include **Vincent Price** (1911-1993 — the celebrated American actor and gourmet, born in St. Louis but with substantial Farmington connections through his American Western tours).

Biggest annual event

Connie Mack World Series + Northern Navajo Fair

The **Connie Mack World Series** (annual, late July - early August at Ricketts Park in Farmington, since 1965) is **the most-celebrated annual amateur baseball tournament in the western United States** — the AABC (American Amateur Baseball Congress) world championship for ages 17-18, drawing ~80 teams. The **Northern Navajo Fair** (annual, early October in Shiprock, NM) is **the largest annual Native American fair on the Navajo Nation** — drawing 75,000+ attendees over 5 days with traditional Navajo programming.

Property Tax in San Juan County, 2026