New Mexico · Off-grid & homestead potential

Hidalgo County

59BoltScore / 100
#6 of 33 in New Mexico

Hidalgo County is a solid bolthole (59/100). Its strengths are cheap to buy into (typical home $112k) and low natural-disaster risk. The trade-offs: arid land — only 12.3″ of rain a year, in severe drought 41.4% of years and poor cropland soil.

How Hidalgo County scores

Hazard Safety91
Freedom48
Food35
Isolation87
Sovereignty41
Water12
Affordability100
$112kTypical home
0.5%Property tax
$414Land / acre
12.3"Annual rain
41.4% of yrsSevere drought
120 miNearest metro
1.2People / sq mi
42.3%Federal land
60.6°FAvg temp

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Living off-grid in Hidalgo County, New Mexico

Is Hidalgo County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?

Hidalgo County is a solid bolthole (59/100). Its strengths: cheap to buy into (typical home $112k) and low natural-disaster risk. Watch-outs: arid land — only 12.3″ of rain a year, in severe drought 41.4% of years and poor cropland soil.

How much does land cost in Hidalgo County, New Mexico?

Land in Hidalgo County runs about $414 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Hidalgo County?

Hidalgo County gets about 12.3" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 41.4% of years.

How remote is Hidalgo County?

The nearest major metro is about 120 miles away, and population density is 1.2 people per square mile.

How Hidalgo compares in New Mexico

See all 33 New Mexico counties ranked →