Ruidoso, NM

New Mexico

Ruidoso is a small city in New Mexico with a population of 7,701. Residents earn $50,259 per year, which is 33% below the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
7,701 Population 477/sq mi density
$50,259 Median Income $32,998 per capita
$229,100 Home Value $326,158 Zillow
$924 Median Rent
50°F Avg Temperature
302 Violent Crime/100K 2,994 property/100K
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.6 / 5.0
$50,259 median income, 2.9% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.1 / 5.0
$229,100 home value, $924/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
302 violent crimes/100K (21% below avg)
B
Education
3.5 / 5.0
30.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $50,259
33% lower than US avg
Home Value $229,100
19% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 302/100K
21% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 30.9%
8% lower than US avg
Median Rent $924
21% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 30.9%
4% lower than US avg
Unemployment 2.9%
19% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 10.2%
18% lower than US avg

How Ruidoso Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population7,701
Median Age44.4 yrs
Density477/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 77%

Economy

B+
Median Income$50,259
Per Capita$32,998
Unemployment2.9%
Poverty10.2%
County GDP$894M
Commute14 min

Housing

A
Home Value$229,100
Rent$924
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$326,158

Crime

F
Violent302/100K
Property2,994/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault239/100K
Burglary1,271/100K

Health

Obesity30.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression25.7%
Heart Disease5.8%

Climate

Avg Temp50°F
AQI37 (Good)
Rain22.0 in/yr
Elevation6,840 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+30.9%
High School+90.9%
School Score4.65

Community

2024 VoteR 68% / D 30%
Commute14 min
EV Stations5
Libraries4

Is Ruidoso a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Ruidoso receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Ruidoso offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Ruidoso is $50,259, 33% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.9%. 10.2% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 14 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Ruidoso is $229,100, 19% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $924 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 4.6x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Ruidoso is below the national average at 302 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,994 per 100,000, 53% above the national average.

Education

30.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 90.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Ruidoso experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 35°F in January while summers reach 66°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 22.0 inches, including 26.2 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37.

Ruidoso has a population of 7,701 with a density of 477 people per square mile. The median age is 44.4 years, 14% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (77.4%), with 2.2% Hispanic, 1.7% Black.

Population

7,701
Total Population
477
People / sq mi
44.4yrs
Median Age
14% above US avg
16.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.8%
Female 51.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Ruidoso vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only86.4%
10% above US avg
Spanish13.6%
1% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Ruidoso vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Ruidoso is $50,259, which is 33% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.9% (below the 3.6% US average). 10.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 14 minutes.

Income: Ruidoso vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$50,259
33% below US avg
Per Capita Income$32,998
Avg Weekly Wage$831
IRS Avg AGI$62,215

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.9%
19% below US avg
Poverty Rate10.2%
18% below US avg
Establishments (County)888
County GDP$894M

Business (County)

Restaurants106
Healthcare48
Retail129
Manufacturing14

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,836
10% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.67%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time14.2 min
Work from Home14.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Ruidoso is $229,100, 19% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $924 (21% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $326,158.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$229,100
19% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$326,158
Median List Price$399,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$399,000
$/Sq Ft$216
Homes Sold7
Sale-to-List Ratio0.0%
Price Drops17.5%
Inventory211

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$924
21% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$828
1 Bedroom$927
2 Bedrooms$1,129
3 Bedrooms$1,496
4 Bedrooms$1,758

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied69.6%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,836
10% above US avg
Effective Rate1.67%
In Ruidoso, 30.9% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 25.7% report depression. 22.9% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Ruidoso vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity30.9%
4% below US avg
Diabetes9.9%
Heart Disease5.8%
High Blood Pressure30.5%
Asthma10.2%
COPD6.1%
Stroke3.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.4%
Physical Inactivity22.9%
Depression25.7%
Mental Distress17.7%
Physical Distress14.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate88.1%
Checkup Rate67.3%
Premature Death12,621/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.7/10
Exercise Access85.9%
Healthcare Facilities48
Ruidoso has a violent crime rate of 302 per 100,000 residents, 21% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,994 per 100,000 (53% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Ruidoso vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent301.9/100K
21% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape50.3/100K
Robbery12.6/100K
Assault239.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property2,994.1/100K
53% above US avg
Burglary1,270.6/100K
Theft1,585.1/100K
Vehicle Theft138.4/100K
Arson12.6/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2
FEMA Disasters455

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Ruidoso has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 35°F in January while summers reach 66°F in July. Annual precipitation is 22.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37.

Temperature

35°F Jan (2°C) 66°F Jul (19°C)
Annual Average50.1°F
7% below US avg
January Average35°F (2°C)
July Average66°F (19°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall22.0 inches
42% below US avg
Snowfall26.2 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median37.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation6,840 ft (2,085 m)
Area16.1 sq mi (41.8 km²)
Population Density477/sq mi
Coordinates33.3495°N, 105.6688°W
County FIPS35027
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 30.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (8% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 38.5-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 68.3%
D 29.8%

Winner: Republican by 38.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+30.9%
8% below US avg
High School+90.9%
School Test Score4.65
B Education Grade (3.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density477/sq mi
Total Area16.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations5
Alt Fuel Stations5
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities48
Restaurants106
Retail Stores129

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2
FEMA Disaster Declarations455
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute14.2 min
Work from Home14.0%

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