2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Ruidoso, NM vs Highlands Ranch, CO

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Highlands Ranch or is it cheaper to live in Ruidoso?
- Highlands Ranch is 61.3% more expensive than Ruidoso.

Which city has more affordable housing, Highlands Ranch or Ruidoso?
- Highlands Ranch housing costs are 179.4% more expensive than Ruidoso housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Ruidoso or is Health Care more affordable in Highlands Ranch.
- Health related expenses are 3.1% less in Highlands Ranch.
 Ruidoso, NMHighlands Ranch, COUnited States
 Overall  Unlock143.6100
 Food & Groceries95.7  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock83.1100
 Housing81.4  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$709,800$338,100
 Utilities98  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock114.9100
 Miscellaneous92.7  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 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

Reviews for Highlands Ranch    20 Reviews

Over 4 years ago

I was born and raised in Highlands Ranch and I know what you’re thinking. “This is a rich girl.” I am not. My parents moved here before it became rich and boujie and the  More

   |    Reply

Worked in the DTC and HR was an easy commute. The people are yuppy- scum-snobs, who do not thank you for holding the door open for their 3+ children, noses held high in  More

   |    Reply

Over 11 years ago

When we moved here from Denver, about 2.5 yrs ago, I did note the affluence, lack of diversity (compared to Denver) and seeming Stepford Wives phenomenon. It is all  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Highlands Ranch


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.