Radon levels in New Mexico: Moderate
The model predicts a population-weighted basement average of 2.1 pCi/L (model estimate) across New Mexico's 32 counties - about 1.2× the US average of 1.8 pCi/L. Above-ground floors average 1.5 pCi/L.
Predicted (model estimate). The pCi/L figures on this page are long-term area averages from a peer-reviewed national model built on millions of real radon tests (2001-2021). They describe the typical home in this area - not your home, which can be several times higher or lower. The EPA radon zone is a separate, 1993 county-level classification. How the numbers work.
7 / 33
EPA Zone 1 counties (21%)
26 / 0
Zone 2 / Zone 3 counties
0
counties predicted ≥ 4 pCi/L
0%
of ZIP codes predicted ≥ 4 pCi/L
Test New Mexico - the EPA says "consider fixing" in this range
The predicted basement average here is 2.1 pCi/L, in the 2-4 pCi/L band where the EPA recommends considering mitigation. Plenty of individual homes in a moderate area test above 4. Start with a short-term test; if it comes back at 2 or higher, follow up with a long-term test or a continuous monitor.
Monitor link goes to the Airthings store - use code RADONGRADE-10OFF at checkout for 10% off any Airthings monitor.
Already tested at 4 pCi/L or higher? Find a certified mitigation professional (EPA). A mitigation system typically runs $800-$2,500 installed.
Affiliate links: we may earn a commission from Airthings or Amazon at no extra cost to you.
What the data says about radon in New Mexico
7 of New Mexico's 33 counties are EPA Zone 1 (21%), 26 are Zone 2 and 0 are Zone 3 on the EPA's county-level map. Zone 2 (predicted screening average of 2-4 pCi/L) is the most common designation, with the 7 Zone 1 counties marking where the EPA expected the highest potential. The zones were drawn once, from geology and the tests available in 1993, and the EPA itself notes that homes with elevated radon exist in all three zones.
Weighted by where people live, New Mexico's predicted basement average is 2.1 pCi/L - 1.2× the US population-weighted average of 1.8 - which puts the state in the moderate range. Of the 32 counties with predictions, 0 are predicted at or above 4 pCi/L, 27 in the 2-4 band and 5 below 2. The county range is narrow: from Doña Ana County at 1.90 to Taos County at 2.89 pCi/L, a spread of only 0.99.
Nationally 4.2% of ZIPs are predicted at 4+ pCi/L and 48.7% at 2+; in New Mexico it is 0% and 79.1% - below the US share at the action level but above it at 2 pCi/L. With more than half of ZIPs above 2, a test is worth doing before any purchase or renovation here.
New Mexico counties by predicted radon
Sorted highest to lowest predicted basement average (model estimate). 33 counties.
| County | Predicted basement | Upstairs | Grade | EPA zone | ZIPs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taos County | 2.9 pCi/L | 2.4 | Moderate | EPA Zone 1 | 12 |
| Rio Arriba County | 2.8 pCi/L | 1.9 | Moderate | EPA Zone 1 | 18 |
| Mora County | 2.8 pCi/L | 1.8 | Moderate | EPA Zone 1 | 6 |
| Colfax County | 2.6 pCi/L | 2.0 | Moderate | EPA Zone 1 | 7 |
| McKinley County | 2.5 pCi/L | 1.8 | Moderate | EPA Zone 2 | 9 |
| San Miguel County | 2.5 pCi/L | 1.7 | Moderate | EPA Zone 1 | 12 |
| Otero County | 2.5 pCi/L | 1.4 | Moderate | EPA Zone 2 | 11 |
| San Juan County | 2.5 pCi/L | 1.7 | Moderate | EPA Zone 2 | 11 |
| Santa Fe County | 2.5 pCi/L | 2.3 | Moderate | EPA Zone 1 | 12 |
| Union County | 2.4 pCi/L | 1.4 | Moderate | EPA Zone 2 | 7 |
| Sierra County | 2.4 pCi/L | 1.4 | Moderate | EPA Zone 2 | 7 |
| Lincoln County | 2.4 pCi/L | 1.6 | Moderate | EPA Zone 2 | 13 |
| Cibola County | 2.4 pCi/L | 1.6 | Moderate | EPA Zone 2 | 8 |
| Torrance County | 2.2 pCi/L | 1.6 | Moderate | EPA Zone 2 | 5 |
| Catron County | 2.2 pCi/L | 1.5 | Moderate | EPA Zone 2 | 6 |
| Grant County | 2.2 pCi/L | 1.5 | Moderate | EPA Zone 2 | 8 |
| Quay County | 2.1 pCi/L | 1.2 | Moderate | EPA Zone 2 | 7 |
| Roosevelt County | 2.1 pCi/L | 1.0 | Moderate | EPA Zone 2 | 7 |
| Chaves County | 2.1 pCi/L | 1.3 | Moderate | EPA Zone 2 | 7 |
| Harding County | 2.1 pCi/L | 1.2 | Moderate | EPA Zone 2 | 4 |
| Socorro County | 2.1 pCi/L | 1.4 | Moderate | EPA Zone 2 | 8 |
| Eddy County | 2.1 pCi/L | 1.2 | Moderate | EPA Zone 2 | 3 |
| Guadalupe County | 2.1 pCi/L | 1.1 | Moderate | EPA Zone 2 | 3 |
| Valencia County | 2.0 pCi/L | 1.4 | Moderate | EPA Zone 2 | 4 |
| Sandoval County | 2.0 pCi/L | 1.3 | Moderate | EPA Zone 2 | 18 |
| Bernalillo County | 2.0 pCi/L | 1.4 | Moderate | EPA Zone 1 | 20 |
| Curry County | 2.0 pCi/L | 0.7 | Moderate | EPA Zone 2 | 4 |
| Lea County | 2.0 pCi/L | 1.0 | Low | EPA Zone 2 | 8 |
| De Baca County | 2.0 pCi/L | 1.0 | Low | EPA Zone 2 | 3 |
| Hidalgo County | 2.0 pCi/L | 1.1 | Low | EPA Zone 2 | 2 |
| Luna County | 2.0 pCi/L | 1.1 | Low | EPA Zone 2 | 1 |
| Doña Ana County | 1.9 pCi/L | 1.1 | Low | EPA Zone 2 | 17 |
| Los Alamos County | n/a | - | zone only | EPA Zone 2 | 0 |
Radon levels in New Mexico cities
The 6 most-populous New Mexico places among the 1,000 largest US cities (Census incorporated places and CDPs), by population. City figures are ZIP-land-weighted means of the model's ZIP predictions (model estimate).
| City | Population | Predicted basement | Upstairs | Grade | ZIPs ≥ 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque | 560,274 | 1.9 pCi/L | 1.3 | Low | 0% |
| Las Cruces | 114,892 | 1.9 pCi/L | 1.2 | Low | 0% |
| Rio Rancho | 110,660 | 1.9 pCi/L | 1.2 | Low | 0% |
| Santa Fe | 89,167 | 2.5 pCi/L | 2.4 | Moderate | 0% |
| Roswell | 47,109 | 2.1 pCi/L | 1.3 | Moderate | 0% |
| Farmington | 46,237 | 2.5 pCi/L | 1.8 | Moderate | 0% |
Highest-radon ZIP codes in New Mexico
The 10 New Mexico ZIP codes with the highest predicted basement average (model estimate), out of 268 modeled. A ZIP average is still an area figure - neighboring homes routinely test several pCi/L apart.
| ZIP | County | Predicted basement | Upstairs | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 87742 | San Miguel County | 3.2 pCi/L | 2.1 | Moderate |
| 87580 | Taos County | 3.1 pCi/L | 2.4 | Moderate |
| 87556 | Taos County | 3.1 pCi/L | 2.3 | Moderate |
| 87732 | Mora County | 3.0 pCi/L | 1.9 | Moderate |
| 87557 | Taos County | 3.0 pCi/L | 2.3 | Moderate |
| 87321 | Cibola County | 3.0 pCi/L | 2.0 | Moderate |
| 87017 | Rio Arriba County | 3.0 pCi/L | 2.0 | Moderate |
| 87532 | Rio Arriba County | 3.0 pCi/L | 2.0 | Moderate |
| 87535 | Santa Fe County | 2.9 pCi/L | 2.0 | Moderate |
| 87718 | Colfax County | 2.9 pCi/L | 2.0 | Moderate |
New Mexico radon questions
- Is radon high in New Mexico?
- New Mexico's population-weighted predicted basement average is 2.1 pCi/L, about 1.2× the US average of 1.8. 0 of its 32 modeled counties are predicted at or above the EPA action level of 4 pCi/L, 27 are in the 2-4 "consider fixing" range and 5 are below 2. 0% of New Mexico ZIP codes are predicted at 4 or higher.
- Which New Mexico county has the highest radon?
- Taos County has the highest predicted basement average in New Mexico at 2.9 pCi/L (EPA Zone 1). The lowest is Doña Ana County at 1.9 pCi/L. These are area figures; individual homes in any county can test far higher.
- How many EPA Zone 1 counties are in New Mexico?
- 7 of New Mexico's 33 counties (21%) are EPA Zone 1 (highest potential), 26 are Zone 2 and 0 are Zone 3. The EPA zone map dates from 1993; the predicted values on this page come from a 2001-2021 model built on millions of actual tests, so the two can disagree for a given county.
- Should I test for radon in New Mexico?
- Yes - with some urgency. New Mexico's predicted average is in the moderate range, and 79.1% of its ZIP codes are predicted at 2 pCi/L or higher. A short-term charcoal kit or a continuous digital monitor will tell you your actual level within days.
New Mexico radon program
State programs keep lists of certified testers and mitigators and sometimes run kit programs. We link only pages we could verify, and New Mexico's program page did not respond when we checked, so start from the EPA state radon contacts page. Then read how to test and what mitigation costs.