Akron OH 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)
Akron, OH
Ohio · Population: 189,526
- Median HH Income$48,544
- Median Home Price$140,512
- Unemployment8.0%
- Bachelor's+23.3%
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
Akron
189,526
Akron +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
White
Akron
56.1%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Akron +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 47,823 | Akron + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 36.8 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 11.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 56.1% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 29.4% | 1.8% | Akron + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 1.6% | Akron + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Rio Rancho +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Akron +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Akron +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Rio Rancho +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Akron +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Akron +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Akron, OH | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $50,294 | Rio Rancho + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $28,418 | Akron + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $53,141 | Akron + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 5.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 24.2% | Akron + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 19.6% | Akron + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $362,476 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Akron +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Akron, OH | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 834 | Akron + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 3177 | Akron + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Akron +
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 11.5% | Akron + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 15.0% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Akron +
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 55.7°F | Akron + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rio Rancho + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rio Rancho leads in median household income at $50,294, while akron offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $140,512. On public safety, Akron is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Rio Rancho has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, 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%.
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