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Ruidoso, NM

Cost of living in Lincoln County, NM

Estimated monthly cost
$2,515/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 20,227 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $790 31%
Healthcare $480 19%
Groceries $326 13%
Transport $320 13%
Federal tax $313 12%
Energy $130 5%
State tax $96 4%
Water $60 2%

Rent in Lincoln County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$678
per month
1 bedroom
$790
per month
2 bedroom
$933
per month
3 bedroom
$1,271
per month
4 bedroom
$1,549
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Lincoln County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$51,643
per year
Individual earnings
$29,222
per year
Per capita
$36,086
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Lincoln County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$212,200
Annual property tax
$1,143

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Lincoln County

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$92
per month · 15.4¢/kWh
Natural gas
$38
per month
Annual total
$1,560
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Lincoln County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
11.4%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Lincoln County

State and local tax rates for New Mexico.

State income tax
5.9%
Top marginal rate
State sales tax
5.0%
Combined sales tax
7.7%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Lincoln County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
21.2 min
Drive alone
72.8%
Public transit
0.1%
Work from home
12.8%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Lincoln County

What it costs to live in Lincoln County each month.

Single person
$2,515
per month
  • Rent $790
  • Energy $130
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $326
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $313
  • State tax $96
Couple
$3,687
per month
  • Rent $933
  • Energy $156
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $540
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $516
  • State tax $188
Family
$6,145
per month
  • Rent $1,271
  • Energy $195
  • Water $85
  • Groceries $820
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $516
  • State tax $188

Frequently asked questions about Lincoln County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Lincoln County?

In Lincoln County, NM, a one-bedroom apartment averages $790 per month, a two-bedroom averages $933 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,271 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Lincoln County?

In Lincoln County, NM, the average household income is $51,643 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $29,222 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Lincoln County?

The estimated cost of living in Lincoln County, NM is approximately $2,515 per month for a single person, $3,687 for a couple, $6,145 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Lincoln County?

The combined sales tax rate in Lincoln County, NM is 7.72%, which includes the New Mexico state rate of 5.00% plus an average local rate of 2.72%.

Is Lincoln County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Lincoln County, NM would need approximately $2,515 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $51,643 per year ($4,304 per month). Lincoln County has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Lincoln County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Lincoln County, NM is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 11.4% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Lincoln County?

The average home value in Lincoln County, NM is $212,200, with average annual property taxes of $1,143, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Lincoln County compare to other areas?

You can compare Lincoln County, NM with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Lincoln County is in the Ruidoso, NM metro area.

Other counties in New Mexico

Browse the full list of counties in New Mexico, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in New Mexico

Compare Lincoln County with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources