Amarillo 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)
Amarillo, TX
Texas · Population: 200,945
- Median HH Income$62,469
- Median Home Price$208,517
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+25.1%
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
Amarillo
200,945
Amarillo +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Amarillo
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Amarillo
35.0
Amarillo +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Amarillo
11.0%
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
White
Amarillo
68.0%
Amarillo +
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Black
Amarillo
7.4%
Amarillo +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Amarillo
4.2%
Amarillo +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Amarillo
33.7%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Amarillo
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 47,823 | Amarillo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 36.8 | Amarillo + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 11.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 68.0% | 62.2% | Amarillo + |
| Black | 7.4% | 1.8% | Amarillo + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 1.6% | Amarillo + |
| Hispanic | 33.7% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Amarillo
$62,469
Amarillo +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Amarillo
$35,133
Amarillo +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Amarillo
$63,758
Amarillo +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Amarillo
3.6%
Amarillo +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Amarillo
15.8%
Amarillo +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Amarillo
25.1%
Amarillo +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,469 | $50,294 | Amarillo + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,133 | $28,418 | Amarillo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $53,141 | Amarillo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 5.9% | Amarillo + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 24.2% | Amarillo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.1% | 19.6% | Amarillo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Amarillo
$208,517
Amarillo +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
Amarillo
59.6%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $208,517 | $362,476 | Amarillo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.6% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
442
Amarillo +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
2339
Amarillo +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 834 | Amarillo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3177 | Amarillo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
38.5%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
13.6%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Amarillo
18.4%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
19.4%
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
17.1%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
14.9%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.4% | 11.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
57.4°F
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
20.4 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.4°F | 55.7°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.4 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Amarillo
9.2 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Amarillo
55.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Amarillo, 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
Amarillo
20.6 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Amarillo leads in median household income at $62,469, while amarillo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $208,517. On public safety, Amarillo is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Amarillo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, 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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