2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Big Bear City, CA vs Ruidoso, NM

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Ruidoso or is it cheaper to live in Big Bear City?
- Ruidoso is 25.0% less expensive than Big Bear City.

Which city has more affordable housing, Ruidoso or Big Bear City?
- Ruidoso housing costs are 24.7% less expensive than Big Bear City housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Big Bear City or is Health Care more affordable in Ruidoso.
- Health related expenses are 2.6% less in Ruidoso.
 Big Bear City, CARuidoso, NMUnited States
 Overall  Unlock89.0100
 Food & Groceries97.7  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock85.8100
 Housing108.1  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$282,600$338,100
 Utilities107  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock68.2100
 Miscellaneous110.6  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Big Bear City    3 Reviews

Over 17 years ago

this place is great for outdoor  More

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Having lived in Big Bear City, CA for over 6 years, I can tell you that it is one of the best places to raise a family. The schools are excellent, from elementary to  More

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Over 18 years ago

beautiful in the summertime, zowie, would not want to be anywhere else. the cost of living nickels and dimes you to death. one cable choice (expensive), at least 20  More

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Reviews for Ruidoso    12 Reviews

Over 3 years ago

Best place in NM to live , unless you like crowds, traffic, crime, and concrete. Plenty of jobs and min wage is now close to $12/hr. Housing is a little pricey but  More

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Over 3 years ago

I love Ruidoso, or "noisy river". I have always visited but now i live here. Was my first choice if I ever moved. I am so glad I left El Paso, was getting way to big  More

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I’ve lived in this town for nine years and loved it. The weather is by far the best thing about this town. Just don’t be a “rude Texan,“ and you will be fine. Try not to  More

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