At $1,700/mo, rent takes about 39% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,700 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: June 22, 2026
What the numbers show
30% of the median household income ($52,736) is $1,318 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 3-bedroom ($1,290); a 4-bedroom is $1,580.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Ruidoso. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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Who lives here
Ruidoso, NM is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income below the national average, 35.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Ruidoso, NM has changed in 5 years
Census figures show median household income at $52,736 today, compared with $45,414 five years earlier. Renters now make up 31.6% of households, compared with 26.2% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 35.4% of adults here, versus 28.9% in 2021.
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At $1,700/mo, how Ruidoso rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Ruidoso rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Ruidoso. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Ruidoso
Last updated: June 22, 2026
The median rent in Ruidoso is $1,700/mo as of June 2026. A studio apartment averages $690/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $950/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $800/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,290/mo.
At 39% of local median household income ($52,736/yr), Ruidoso ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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Is rent going up or down in Ruidoso?
How does Ruidoso rent compare to other cities in New Mexico?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Ruidoso?
At $1,700/mo, rent takes ~39% of Ruidoso's median household income ($52,736/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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