Elevation
Ruidoso elevation and altitude
Ruidoso, New Mexico is 6,729 feet (2,051 meters) above sea level — more than a mile high. Elevation and altitude mean the same thing here: the height of the city above the sea.
What 6,729 feet means in Ruidoso
Among the 689 cities on this site, Ruidoso is one of the highest. At 6,729 ft the air holds noticeably less oxygen per breath than at the coast. Most people adapt within a few days; exercise feels harder at first.
Air pressure. Air pressure falls as you climb, about 1 inHg for every 1,000 ft near the ground. In Ruidoso a barometer that is not corrected to sea level reads around 23.33 inHg on an average day, while the weather forecast still quotes a sea-level number near 29.92 inHg.
Cooking. Water boils at about 199 °F (93.0 °C) here, so boiled foods cook more slowly and baking recipes often need small high-altitude adjustments. Boiling point at altitude
Where the number comes from. The elevation is for the city center point in the GeoNames gazetteer, taken from a digital elevation model. To check the exact height where you are standing, use What is my elevation? or What is my altitude?
Elevation of places near Ruidoso
| Place | Elevation (ft) | Elevation (m) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cloudcroft, NM | 8,668 | 2,642 | 26 mi |
| Roswell, NM | 3,576 | 1,090 | 66 mi |
| Las Cruces, NM | 3,907 | 1,191 | 95 mi |
| El Paso, TX | 3,717 | 1,133 | 119 mi |
| Albuquerque, NM | 4,957 | 1,511 | 133 mi |
| Santa Fe, NM | 6,995 | 2,132 | 163 mi |
| Taos, NM | 6,969 | 2,124 | 213 mi |
| Lubbock, TX | 3,202 | 976 | 221 mi |
Frequently asked questions
What is the elevation or altitude of Ruidoso?
Ruidoso, New Mexico is about 6,729 feet (2,051 meters) above sea level, measured at the city center. Neighborhoods higher or lower in the city can differ by a few hundred feet.
What is the air pressure in Ruidoso because of its elevation?
On a standard day the air pressure at 6,729 ft is about 23.33 inHg (790 hPa), 78% of sea-level pressure. Each breath holds about 78% as much oxygen as at sea level.
At what temperature does water boil in Ruidoso?
About 199 °F (93.0 °C), compared with 212 °F (100 °C) at sea level, so pasta, eggs and beans take a little longer to cook.