At a Glance
Median Income
$50,259
$32,998 per capita
Home Value
$229,100
Zillow: $320,278
Median Rent
$924/mo
31.0% of income on rent
Bachelor's Degree+
30.9%
90.9% high school+
Unemployment
4.9%
10.2% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
30.9%
14.0% smoking rate
How Ruidoso Compares to the U.S. Average
Each bar shows Ruidoso's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)
Is Ruidoso a Good Place to Live?
B+
3.6 / 5.0 - Good
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.
Economy & Jobs
Ruidoso residents earn a median household income of $50,259 , which is 33% below the national average of $75,149.
Per capita income is $32,998. The unemployment rate stands at 4.9% (36% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 10.2% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 888 business establishments, including 106 restaurants.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in Ruidoso is $229,100 , 19% below the national median of $281,900.
Zillow estimates the typical home at $320,278. Median rent is $924/month, with 31.0% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 92.2 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1981.
Education
30.9% of adults in Ruidoso hold a bachelor's degree or higher
(8% below the national average).
90.9% have completed high school. Local schools score 4.5/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
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 totals 22.0 inches.
Data Overview
People
Population7,701
Median Age44.4 yrs
Density477/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Foreign Born6.6%
Veterans9.0%
Economy
B
Median Income$50,259
Per Capita$32,998
Unemployment4.9%
Poverty10.2%
County GDP$894M
Avg Weekly Wage$831
Housing
A
Home Value$229,100
Rent$924
Ownership69.6%
Zillow$320,278
Housing Units8,341
Rent Burden31.0%
Health
Obesity30.9%
Diabetes9.9%
Smoking14.0%
Heart Disease5.8%
Premature Death12,621/100K
Climate
Avg Temp50°F
Rain22.0 in/yr
Elevation6,840 ft
Education
B
Bachelor's+30.9%
High School+90.9%
Graduate+6.3%
School Score4.5/10
Community
2024 VoteR 68% / D 30%
Commute14 min
Broadband82.8%
Internet Speed50 Mbps
EV Stations5
Libraries4
Did You Know?
The median home in Ruidoso was built in 1981.
The nearest airport is Sierra Blanca Regional (11 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.488 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Low" by FEMA.
18.0% of the population has a disability.
There are 106 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 2 fatal vehicle crashes.
455 declared natural disasters on record.