Athens GA 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)
Athens, GA
Georgia · Population: 126,987
- Median HH Income$51,655
- Median Home Price$341,821
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
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
Athens
126,987
Athens +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
White
Athens
57.6%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 47,823 | Athens + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 36.8 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 11.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 57.6% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 26.2% | 1.8% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 1.6% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Athens +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Athens +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Athens +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Rio Rancho +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $50,294 | Athens + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $28,418 | Athens + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $53,141 | Athens + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.9% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 24.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 19.6% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Athens +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $362,476 | Athens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Athens, GA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 834 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 3177 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Rio Rancho
15.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Rio Rancho
10.5%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 31.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 15.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.5% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.0% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.5% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 55.7°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rio Rancho + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Athens leads in median household income at $51,655, while athens offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,821. On public safety, Athens is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Athens has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³).
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