Quick New Mexico Tax Stats
| Tax Type | Rate / Info |
|---|---|
| Income Tax | 1.7% – 5.9% (progressive; top marginal rate) |
| Sales Tax (GRT) | 5.125% statewide base; ~7%–9%+ combined in many cities |
| Jock Tax | New Mexico taxes income earned from work performed in the state |
| Cost of Living (Range) | $70,000 – $150,000+ annual (Albuquerque / Santa Fe lifestyle) |
| Average Home Price | ~$350,000 – $420,000 (3-bed/2-bath in Albuquerque metro) |
Income Tax in New Mexico
New Mexico uses a progressive income tax structure, with rates currently ranging from 1.7% up to 5.9% at the top bracket.
For professional athletes:
- Top earners generally fall into the 5.9% marginal bracket.
- Applies to wages, bonuses, sponsorships and all/any other gross income allocated to the state.
- Residents owe tax on national income; nonresidents owe tax on income earned within the borders of the state of New Mexico.
Example
An athlete earning $18 million while domiciled in New Mexico would owe ~$1.06 million in state income tax at the top marginal rate.
Compared to a no-income-tax state like Texas, that’s over $1 million in annual difference, but compared to high-tax states like California or New York (9–13%), New Mexico sits in the middle tier.
For long-term net worth modeling, New Mexico’s rate is meaningful but not extreme.
Sales Tax (Gross Receipts Tax – GRT)
New Mexico doesn’t technically have a traditional sales tax.
Instead, it imposes a Gross Receipts Tax (GRT) on businesses, which is typically passed on to consumers.
- State base rate: 5.125%
- Local add-ons often push combined rates to ~7%–9%+
- Some services are also taxed (more broadly than many states)
For athletes
- Luxury purchases and services can carry meaningful GRT impact.
- Professional services may also include GRT depending on structure.
Example
Purchasing a $100,000 vehicle in Albuquerque at ~8% combined rate results in ~$8,000 in tax New Mexico’s broader tax base on services makes it slightly more consumption-heavy than some states.
This means the purchase will also depreciate by $8,000 faster than in states that do not levy a sales tax.
Jock Tax
New Mexico taxes income earned from work performed within the state.
- Visiting professional athletes owe jock tax on income apportioned to games played in New Mexico.
- Domiciled athletes owe tax on national income at state rates.
Example
An NBA player playing an exhibition game in Albuquerque and owes New Mexico income tax on the duty-day portion of salary allocated to that game.
For athletes with national schedules, New Mexico becomes one of many multi-state filing obligations in a season.
Cost of Living and Housing
New Mexico’s cost of living is generally moderate compared to national averages.
- Albuquerque: Athlete lifestyle budgets often range $90k–$150k+ annually.
- Santa Fe: Higher-end real estate and luxury living can push budgets higher.
Housing
- Average 3-bed/2-bath home in Albuquerque: $350k–$420k
- Santa Fe and scenic areas often command higher premiums
- Property taxes are relatively moderate compared to many states
Compared to coastal markets, New Mexico provides more affordable housing, which can offset moderate income tax rates when building long-term net worth.
Property Tax
New Mexico levies an effective property tax rate of ~0.61-0.63%, one of the lowest inside the entire U.S.
While New Mexico is also one of the most underdeveloped states in the country, an athlete could use the low property tax rates and low cost of living to their advantage.
Retaining more of their annual net income, own larger plots of land/larger houses and the appreciation value of the New Mexico market is still relatively untapped.
Meaning, real estate investing could be better in NM than in states like Washington, California or even Florida despite its no income tax rate.
Residency Rules
Athletes establishing residency in New Mexico must:
- Obtain New Mexico driver’s license
- Register vehicle in-state
- Establish primary residence
- Demonstrate intent to remain
Residents are taxed on worldwide income.
Nonresidents are taxed only on income earned within New Mexico.
Example
A baseball player signing with a New Mexico-based franchise who establishes domicile in the state will owe up to 5.9% on salary and endorsements, plus jock tax to other states for away games.
Clear documentation of domicile matters for multi-state compliance.
Why New Mexico Is Middle-Tier for Athletes
- Top marginal income tax of 5.9%, moderate but meaningful
- Broad Gross Receipts Tax affects goods and services
- Lower housing costs than many U.S. metro areas
- Manageable cost of living relative to contract size
- Straightforward residency structure
New Mexico is not tax-free, but it’s also not among the highest-tax states.
For athletes prioritizing affordability and moderate taxation, it falls in the “middle efficiency” category.
From a net income standpoint, the biggest drivers remain:
- Federal tax
- Jock tax exposure
- Lifestyle spending discipline
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Next Athlete State Tax Reads
- Arizona State Athlete Taxes
- Texas State Athlete Taxes
- Nevada State Athlete Taxes
- California State Athlete Taxes
- Colorado State Athlete Taxes
Next Reads
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Credits
Sources: New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department, 2025 State Tax Data, Zillow / Redfin Housing Data, APSM Proprietary Analysis
Disclaimer: This article contains general financial information for educational purposes and does not constitute professional advice.
Apostle Sports Media 