Allen 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)

Allen, TX

Texas · Population: 107,684

  • Median HH Income$129,130
  • Median Home Price$502,170
  • Unemployment4.3%
  • Bachelor's+56.1%

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
Allen
107,684
Allen +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allen
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Allen
38.5
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
Foreign Born
Allen
21.9%
Allen +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
Allen
55.7%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Allen
10.6%
Allen +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Allen
19.6%
Allen +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Allen
11.8%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Allen
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Allen
$129,130
Allen +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Allen
$54,853
Allen +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allen
$63,758
Allen +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Allen
4.3%
Allen +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Allen
4.8%
Allen +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Allen
56.1%
Allen +
Rio Rancho
19.6%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allen
$502,170
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Homeownership Rate
Allen
69.8%
Allen +
Rio Rancho
66.4%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allen
442
Allen +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allen
2339
Allen +
Rio Rancho
3177

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allen
31.7%
Allen +
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allen
9.3%
Allen +
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allen
14.6%
Allen +
Rio Rancho
15.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allen
8.9%
Allen +
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allen
17.4%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allen
9.2%
Allen +
Rio Rancho
10.5%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allen
74.6°F
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allen
19.5 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allen
9.2 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allen
55.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Rio Rancho +

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allen
30.3 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +

Which City is Right for You?

Allen leads in median household income at $129,130, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Allen is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Allen has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Allen scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.7%.

Compare More Cities

About Allen & Rio Rancho