2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Carlsbad, NM vs Ruidoso, NM

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Ruidoso or is it cheaper to live in Carlsbad?
- Ruidoso is 14.2% more expensive than Carlsbad.

Which city has more affordable housing, Ruidoso or Carlsbad?
- Ruidoso housing costs are 60.6% more expensive than Carlsbad housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Carlsbad or is Health Care more affordable in Ruidoso.
- Health related expenses are 0.3% less in Ruidoso.
 Carlsbad, NMRuidoso, NMUnited States
 Overall  Unlock89.0100
 Food & Groceries92.7  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock85.8100
 Housing50.7  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$282,600$338,100
 Utilities87  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock68.2100
 Miscellaneous83.5  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Carlsbad    16 Reviews

I've only been here for a few months, but I can quickly sum up this town as a rundown truck stop, perpetually buffeted by relentless wind, dirt, and hot air. The gas  More

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Over 3 years ago

We used to visit here every few years from Michigan just to see the Living Desert State Park. A very long way to drive to spend a a couple of days in this hauntingly  More

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Been here 9 years. Very difficult place. Price gouging, extremely expensive to live here. Crazy amounts of crime, cops do nothing. Very crowded, bad traffic and crazy  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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