Living in Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Ruidoso Downs · Census data 2020–2024
Ruidoso Downs has 2,655 residents with a median age of 38.4. The median household income is $31,354 (51% lower than the New Mexico median), the median home value is $154,000, the median rent is $936/month.
Ruidoso Downs at a glance
- Population
- 2,655
- Median age
- 38.4State: 39.4
- Median household income
- $31,354State: $64,059
- Median home value
- $154,000State: $248,100
- Median rent
- $936/moState: $1,067
- Homeowners
- 63%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 21.5%
- Average commute
- 13 min
Is Ruidoso Downs a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 38% lower than the state median; an average commute of 13 minutes; unemployment of 3.4%.
Cons: Median household income 51% lower than the New Mexico median; a poverty rate of 40.5%.
The weather is best in April to June and September.
Cost of living in Ruidoso Downs
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Ruidoso Downs the median home value is $154,000, 54% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $936 per month, which is 51% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,115 a month in housing costs.
Ruidoso Downs median household income
The median household income in Ruidoso Downs is $31,354 and the income per person is $17,874. 40.5% of residents live below the poverty line (New Mexico: 17.8%).
Housing in Ruidoso Downs: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 1,487
- Owner-occupied
- 63%
- Renter-occupied
- 37%
- Vacant
- 18.3%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1983
- Average household size
- 2.19
Ruidoso Downs demographics
- Population
- 2,655
- Median age
- 38.4
- Under 18
- 27.8%
- 65 and older
- 24.9%
- Households
- 1,215
- Foreign-born
- 7%
- Veterans
- 16.4%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Ruidoso Downs ›
Education in Ruidoso Downs
21.5% of adults 25 and older in Ruidoso Downs have a bachelor's degree or higher (New Mexico: 31%), and 12.2% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Ruidoso Downs
- Unemployment rate
- 3.4%State: 6%
- Average commute
- 13 minState: 24 min
- Work from home
- 0.4%
- Drive alone
- 73.5%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 0.2%
- Homes with broadband
- 80.7%
Ruidoso Downs vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ruidoso Downs | 2,655 | $31,354 | $154,000 | $936 |
| Ruidoso | 7,699 | $52,736 | $243,800 | $944 |
| Capitan | 1,191 | $52,864 | $111,700 | — |
| Mescalero | 832 | $24,313 | $43,300 | $260 |
| Carrizozo | 854 | $27,344 | $84,700 | $611 |
| Twin Forks | 310 | $76,042 | $250,000 | — |
| Cloudcroft | 630 | $56,563 | $234,800 | — |
| High Rolls | 1,313 | $86,375 | $257,600 | — |
| Tularosa | 2,597 | $52,375 | $150,600 | $1,081 |
More for people moving to Ruidoso Downs
Ruidoso Downs ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Ruidoso Downs: FAQ
What is the median household income in Ruidoso Downs, NM?
The median household income in Ruidoso Downs is $31,354, 51% lower than the New Mexico median of $64,059 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Ruidoso Downs?
The median home value in Ruidoso Downs is $154,000, compared with $248,100 in New Mexico.
How much is rent in Ruidoso Downs?
The median gross rent in Ruidoso Downs is $936 per month, about 51% of household income.
Is Ruidoso Downs, NM a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 38% lower than the state median; an average commute of 13 minutes; unemployment of 3.4%. Minuses: median household income 51% lower than the New Mexico median; a poverty rate of 40.5%.
What is the median age in Ruidoso Downs?
The median age in Ruidoso Downs is 38.4 years (New Mexico: 39.4).
How long is the commute in Ruidoso Downs?
The average commute to work in Ruidoso Downs is 13 minutes; 0.4% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Ruidoso Downs?
The unemployment rate in Ruidoso Downs is 3.4% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Ruidoso Downs?
21.5% of adults in Ruidoso Downs have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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