Searching for Tax Relief in the Borderland?
If you own a home in El Paso, you have already heard about rising property taxes.
On Tuesday, August 18, 2026, the El Paso City Council adopted the fiscal year 2026-2027 city budget that includes a property tax increase. El Paso County Commissioners also approved a budget that will increase property taxes. As many media outlets have reported, property taxes are increasing yet again for El Pasoans.
And there’s something else worth paying attention to according to El Paso Inc., El Paso has the highest effective property tax rate in Texas—nearly twice the effective rate paid by homeowners in Austin even though El Paso wages are significantly lower the tax burden is much higher.
So, if you’re looking at your housing costs and wondering if there’s another option, a way to cut expenses, it may be worth looking just across the state line.
What about New Mexico?
For many El Paso homeowners, moving to Southern New Mexico doesn’t mean giving up the life they know. In many cases, it means staying close to work, friends, family, shopping, restaurants, and all the things that make the Borderland feel like home—while lowering one of the biggest costs of owning a home – your annual property taxes.
While Texas ranks 7th highest property taxes in the US according to taxfoundation.org, nearby New Mexico is consistently recognized for its low property taxes. And when you look at actual property tax costs in El Paso and Las Cruces, the difference can be significant.
El Paso vs. Las Cruces Property Taxes
The following examples are based on 2026 property tax information from the El Paso Central Appraisal District and the Doña Ana County Assessor:
You don’t have to leave the Borderland to find lower taxes.
One of the things people appreciate about Southern New Mexico is how connected it remains to El Paso. Santa Teresa, Anthony, La Unión, La Mesa, Mesquite, Vado, Mesilla, and Las Cruces are all close enough to keep many of the connections and routines that matter most.
US Census data reported by El Paso Inc. show that more than 2,000 people made the move from El Paso to New Mexico in 2024–2025. El Paso city and county leaders are quoted saying that those former El Pasoans are not leaving the region, rather relocating to nearby communities in New Mexico. For some, it is about finding a home that offers more for their money. For others, lower property taxes are part of the equation. And for many, it is simply about finding a place that felt like home without having to go very far to get there.
Curious what the numbers look like for you?
Every situation is different, and property taxes depend on the property, its assessed value, exemptions, and local tax rates.
If you’re wondering whether a move to Southern New Mexico could make sense for you, let’s look at the numbers together.
As a Realtor who has grown up in the borderland and lived in both El Paso and Las Cruces, I will use my experience, knowledge and skills to develop a thorough market analysis of your current home and compare it with properties in the Southern New Mexico to help you get a better picture of what your options might look like.
Sometimes the move you’re considering isn’t nearly as far away as you think.