Living in Ruidoso, New Mexico
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Ruidoso · Census data 2020–2024
Ruidoso has 7,699 residents with a median age of 44.8. The median household income is $52,736 (18% lower than the New Mexico median), the median home value is $243,800, the median rent is $944/month.
Ruidoso at a glance
- Population
- 7,699
- Median age
- 44.8State: 39.4
- Median household income
- $52,736State: $64,059
- Median home value
- $243,800State: $248,100
- Median rent
- $944/moState: $1,067
- Homeowners
- 68.4%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 35.4%
- Average commute
- 14 min
Is Ruidoso a good place to live?
Pros: Home values about the same as the state median; an average commute of 14 minutes; unemployment of 3.3%.
Cons: Median household income 18% lower than the New Mexico median; a poverty rate of 20.6%.
The weather is best in April to June and September.
Cost of living in Ruidoso
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Ruidoso the median home value is $243,800, 27% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $944 per month, which is 28.1% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,587 a month in housing costs.
Ruidoso median household income
The median household income in Ruidoso is $52,736 and the income per person is $35,658. 20.6% of residents live below the poverty line (New Mexico: 17.8%).
Housing in Ruidoso: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 8,294
- Owner-occupied
- 68.4%
- Renter-occupied
- 31.6%
- Vacant
- 52.5%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1981
- Average household size
- 1.95
52.5% of homes are vacant most of the year, a sign that Ruidoso has many vacation and second homes.
Ruidoso demographics
- Population
- 7,699
- Median age
- 44.8
- Under 18
- 16%
- 65 and older
- 28.8%
- Households
- 3,941
- Foreign-born
- 4%
- Veterans
- 9.3%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Ruidoso ›
Education in Ruidoso
35.4% of adults 25 and older in Ruidoso have a bachelor's degree or higher (New Mexico: 31%), and 11.1% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Ruidoso
- Unemployment rate
- 3.3%State: 6%
- Average commute
- 14 minState: 24 min
- Work from home
- 12.9%
- Drive alone
- 75.8%
- Public transit
- 0.3%
- Walk to work
- 1.3%
- Homes with broadband
- 82.9%
Ruidoso vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ruidoso | 7,699 | $52,736 | $243,800 | $944 |
| Ruidoso Downs | 2,655 | $31,354 | $154,000 | $936 |
| Capitan | 1,191 | $52,864 | $111,700 | — |
| Mescalero | 832 | $24,313 | $43,300 | $260 |
| Carrizozo | 854 | $27,344 | $84,700 | $611 |
| Tularosa | 2,597 | $52,375 | $150,600 | $1,081 |
| Cloudcroft | 630 | $56,563 | $234,800 | — |
| Twin Forks | 310 | $76,042 | $250,000 | — |
| High Rolls | 1,313 | $86,375 | $257,600 | — |
More for people moving to Ruidoso
Ruidoso ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Ruidoso: FAQ
What is the median household income in Ruidoso, NM?
The median household income in Ruidoso is $52,736, 18% 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?
The median home value in Ruidoso is $243,800, compared with $248,100 in New Mexico.
How much is rent in Ruidoso?
The median gross rent in Ruidoso is $944 per month, about 28.1% of household income.
Is Ruidoso, NM a good place to live?
Pluses: home values about the same as the state median; an average commute of 14 minutes; unemployment of 3.3%. Minuses: median household income 18% lower than the New Mexico median; a poverty rate of 20.6%.
What is the median age in Ruidoso?
The median age in Ruidoso is 44.8 years (New Mexico: 39.4).
How long is the commute in Ruidoso?
The average commute to work in Ruidoso is 14 minutes; 12.9% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Ruidoso?
The unemployment rate in Ruidoso is 3.3% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Ruidoso?
35.4% of adults in Ruidoso 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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