Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Ruidoso, NM?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 36.1% of gross income.
Ruidoso rent: May 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (New Mexico state estimate).
About rent and a firefighter salary
Firefighter base pay plus typical overtime sits modestly above the US median household income, but local rent levels determine whether that translates into affordability or rent burden. At the national-average firefighter base salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,570 a month in rent. The per-city pages compare local rent against local firefighter-pay estimates so renters can see where rent stays in range.
Cheaper rent nearby
These New Mexico cities have lower median rent than Ruidoso, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Ruidoso
View full rent data for Ruidoso, NM →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Ruidoso, NM?
Median rent in Ruidoso is $1,700 a month. A typical firefighter in New Mexico earns about $56,529 a year, which makes that rent 36.1% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a firefighter afford in Ruidoso?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in New Mexico (~$56,529/yr) supports up to $1,413 a month in rent. Ruidoso's current median rent is $1,700/mo, which is $287/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Ruidoso?
At an hourly equivalent of about $27 an hour, a firefighter in New Mexico works roughly 62.6 hours a month to cover Ruidoso's median rent of $1,700.
Where is rent cheaper than Ruidoso for a firefighter?
Nearby New Mexico cities with lower median rent include Carlsbad ($1,698/mo), Los Lunas ($1,693/mo), Carlsbad ($1,676/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.