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City Report · NM

Ruidoso

Pop. 7,699·6th most expensive in New Mexico·Rental market data updated monthly for Ruidoso, NM
Median rent (all units)
$1,700/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+6.3%
vs US Median
-$265
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Ruidoso · $1,700
More affordable than 62% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
39% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,700/mo, rent takes about 39% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$68,000/yr
Local median income
$52,736/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Ruidoso's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$690
1 BR
$800
2 BR
$950
3 BR
$1,290
4 BR+
$1,580
Research median
$950/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: June 22, 2026

Annual cost
$20,400/yr
At $1,700/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 0.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +6.3% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

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.

Population
7,699
Median income
$52,736
Median age
44.8
Renters
31.6%
Age distribution
16%
18.7%
21.5%
15%
28.8%
Under 1816%
18–3418.7%
35–5421.5%
55–6415%
65+28.8%
Gender
49.8%
50.2%
Male49.8%
Female50.2%
Race & ethnicity
73.7%
29.2%
White73.7%
Black2.2%
Hispanic29.2%
Asian0.6%
Education (25+)
16.9%
42.1%
35.4%
No HS diploma5.7%
HS diploma16.9%
Some college42.1%
Bachelor's+35.4%
Housing tenure
68.4%
31.6%
Owner68.4%
Renter31.6%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Ruidoso, NM has changed in 5 years

Income
$45,414 → $52,736
up 16.1%
Population
7,636 → 7,699
up 0.8%
Renter share
26.2% → 31.6%
+5.4 pts
Bachelor's+
28.9% → 35.4%
+6.5 pts
Median age
50.6 → 44.8
-5.8 yrs

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.

Community

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View Ruidoso rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Ruidoso on your salary?

At $1,700/mo, how Ruidoso rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Ruidoso rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Ruidoso. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Ruidoso

About renting in Ruidoso, NM

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.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Ruidoso an affordable city for renters?

Ruidoso is considered moderate for renters. At $1,700/mo, rent takes approximately 39% of the local median household income ($52,736/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Ruidoso slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Ruidoso?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $68,000/year (~$33/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,700/mo in Ruidoso. The local median household income is $52,736/yr, meaning the typical Ruidoso household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Ruidoso?

Rent in Ruidoso has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of June 2026.

How does Ruidoso rent compare to other cities in New Mexico?

Ruidoso is one of the pricier cities in New Mexico for rent, ranking #6 out of 16 tracked cities at $1,700/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Ruidoso?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Ruidoso ($1,700/mo): Roswell ($1,399/mo), Las Cruces ($1,424/mo), Alamogordo ($1,546/mo).

What percentage of Ruidoso residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 31.6% of Ruidoso households are renters, while 68.4% are owner-occupied. Ruidoso leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Ruidoso rent compare to the national average?

Ruidoso's median rent of $1,700/mo is $265 (13%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within New Mexico, it ranks #6 out of 16 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
39%
MODERATE

At $1,700/mo, rent takes ~39% of Ruidoso's median household income ($52,736/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Ruidoso 39%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1.7–5.9%
Run the Ruidoso affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Ruidoso, NM

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