2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
San Marcos, TX vs Ruidoso, NM

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Ruidoso or is it cheaper to live in San Marcos?
- Ruidoso is 21.2% less expensive than San Marcos.

Which city has more affordable housing, Ruidoso or San Marcos?
- Ruidoso housing costs are 19.0% less expensive than San Marcos housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in San Marcos or is Health Care more affordable in Ruidoso.
- Health related expenses are 21.1% less in Ruidoso.
 San Marcos, TXRuidoso, NMUnited States
 Overall  Unlock89.0100
 Food & Groceries92.3  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock85.8100
 Housing100.5  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$282,600$338,100
 Utilities102  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock68.2100
 Miscellaneous101.9  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for San Marcos    6 Reviews

An area with so much potential and existing natural beauty.Sadly bad urban planning is clearly obvious.Looks like fun for tens of thousands of students.However for the  More

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Over 16 years ago

San Marcos has the most beautiful people and places that I have ever seen throughout my travels. I love this city so much that I decided to settle down here and start a  More

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Over 17 years ago

I spent several summers and a couple winters in San Marcos during my formidable years and really have to tell those interested about what a nice town it is. The best  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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