Aztec, NM vs Ruidoso Downs, NM

Ruidoso Downs is moderately more affordable than Aztec, with a 8.7% lower cost of living index. Aztec scores 67 compared to 62 for Ruidoso Downs, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Aztec can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Aztec is $765/month compared to $826/month in Ruidoso Downs — a 7% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Aztec has cheaper rent, Ruidoso Downs actually has lower median home values ($55,400 vs $164,700).

Median household income in Aztec is $42,699 compared to $31,413 in Ruidoso Downs (+35.9%). While Aztec is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Aztec spend roughly 21.5% of their income on rent, less than the 31.6% in Ruidoso Downs. The Aztec ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.