2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Harper, KS vs Ruidoso, NM

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Ruidoso or is it cheaper to live in Harper?
- Ruidoso is 31.5% more expensive than Harper.

Which city has more affordable housing, Ruidoso or Harper?
- Ruidoso housing costs are 275.1% more expensive than Harper housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Harper or is Health Care more affordable in Ruidoso.
- Health related expenses are 16.3% less in Ruidoso.
 Harper, KSRuidoso, NMUnited States
 Overall  Unlock89.0100
 Food & Groceries91.0  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock85.8100
 Housing21.7  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$282,600$338,100
 Utilities114  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock68.2100
 Miscellaneous84.9  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

Reviews for Harper    1 Reviews

I live in Harper and I love it! The community is awesome, supportive of each other, people are very friendly. Beautiful rural life within driving distance to all major  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Harper

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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Ruidoso


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.