Abilene TX vs Rio Rancho NM — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Abilene, TX
Texas · Population: 127,130
- Median HH Income$62,720
- Median Home Price$214,916
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+27.1%
Rio Rancho, NM
New Mexico · Population: 47,823
- Median HH Income$50,294
- Median Home Price$362,476
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+19.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Abilene +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Abilene +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
White
Abilene
66.6%
Abilene +
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Abilene +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Abilene +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 47,823 | Abilene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 36.8 | Abilene + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 11.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 66.6% | 62.2% | Abilene + |
| Black | 10.3% | 1.8% | Abilene + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 1.6% | Abilene + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Abilene +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Abilene +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Abilene +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Abilene +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Abilene +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $50,294 | Abilene + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $28,418 | Abilene + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $53,141 | Abilene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 5.9% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 24.2% | Abilene + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 19.6% | Abilene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $362,476 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Abilene +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Abilene +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 834 | Abilene + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3177 | Abilene + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 11.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 55.7°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rio Rancho + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 19.1 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Abilene leads in median household income at $62,720, while abilene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $214,916. On public safety, Abilene is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Abilene has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rio Rancho scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
Compare More Cities
Abilene, TX vs New York, NYAbilene, TX vs Los Angeles, CAAbilene, TX vs Chicago, ILAbilene, TX vs Houston, TXAbilene, TX vs Phoenix, AZAbilene, TX vs Philadelphia, PA