Arlington 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)
Arlington, TX
Texas · Population: 394,769
- Median HH Income$73,519
- Median Home Price$313,683
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
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
Arlington
394,769
Arlington +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arlington
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Arlington
33.6
Arlington +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Arlington
21.3%
Arlington +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
Arlington
43.2%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Arlington
22.4%
Arlington +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Arlington
7.3%
Arlington +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Arlington
31.0%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Arlington
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 47,823 | Arlington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 36.8 | Arlington + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 11.6% | Arlington + |
| White | 43.2% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 22.4% | 1.8% | Arlington + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 1.6% | Arlington + |
| Hispanic | 31.0% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arlington
$73,519
Arlington +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Arlington
$35,226
Arlington +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arlington
$63,758
Arlington +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Arlington
5.7%
Arlington +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Arlington
13.1%
Arlington +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arlington
33.1%
Arlington +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,519 | $50,294 | Arlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,226 | $28,418 | Arlington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $53,141 | Arlington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 5.9% | Arlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.1% | 24.2% | Arlington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.1% | 19.6% | Arlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arlington
$313,683
Arlington +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
Arlington
54.8%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,683 | $362,476 | Arlington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
442
Arlington +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
2339
Arlington +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 834 | Arlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3177 | Arlington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
33.8%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
12.0%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arlington
18.2%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arlington
18.4%
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arlington
16.0%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arlington
13.3%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 11.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
65.4°F
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
39.6 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.4°F | 55.7°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.6 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arlington
9.2 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arlington
55.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Arlington, 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
Arlington
29.0 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arlington leads in median household income at $73,519, while arlington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,683. On public safety, Arlington is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Arlington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, 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%.
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