2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Tucson, AZ vs Ruidoso, NM

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Ruidoso or is it cheaper to live in Tucson?
- Ruidoso is 8.2% less expensive than Tucson.

Which city has more affordable housing, Ruidoso or Tucson?
- Ruidoso housing costs are 12.7% less expensive than Tucson housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Tucson or is Health Care more affordable in Ruidoso.
- Health related expenses are 0.5% more in Ruidoso.
 Tucson, AZRuidoso, NMUnited States
 Overall  Unlock89.0100
 Food & Groceries95.5  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock85.8100
 Housing93.2  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$282,600$338,100
 Utilities99  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock68.2100
 Miscellaneous98.6  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Tucson    287 Reviews

My wife and I characterize ourselves as a young couple, well educated, with decent positions and we’re Tucson natives. We’ve observed our quality of life from both a  More

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Over 1 years ago

I was reading the reviews for Tucson, and after living there for 6 years, I feel the need to weigh in. There are many pros in Tucson: access to recreational areas,  More

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I spend considerable time in and around Tucson, and I've see it rapidly going "downhill" since 2020. It's definitely not the nice town I remember from when I was a  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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