Anchorage AK 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)
Anchorage, AK
Alaska · Population: 289,069
- Median HH Income$98,152
- Median Home Price$414,014
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
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
Anchorage
289,069
Anchorage +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Anchorage +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
Anchorage +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Anchorage +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 47,823 | Anchorage + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 36.8 | Anchorage + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 11.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 58.3% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 5.3% | 1.8% | Anchorage + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 1.6% | Anchorage + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Anchorage +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Anchorage +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Anchorage +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Anchorage +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
Anchorage +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $50,294 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $28,418 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $53,141 | Anchorage + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.9% | Anchorage + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 24.2% | Anchorage + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 19.6% | Anchorage + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $362,476 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
Anchorage +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Anchorage +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 834 | Anchorage + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 3177 | Anchorage + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Anchorage +
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Anchorage +
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 10.6% | Anchorage + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 11.5% | Anchorage + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
Anchorage +
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.0°F | 55.7°F | Anchorage + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anchorage
7.6 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anchorage
20.4 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Anchorage leads in median household income at $98,152, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Anchorage is safer with a violent crime rate of 780 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Anchorage has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, 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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