Augusta 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)
Augusta, GA
Georgia · Population: 201,504
- Median HH Income$53,134
- Median Home Price$177,114
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+24.2%
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
Augusta
201,504
Augusta +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Augusta +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Augusta +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 47,823 | Augusta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 36.8 | Augusta + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 11.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 32.8% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 56.5% | 1.8% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 1.6% | Augusta + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Augusta +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Augusta +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Augusta +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Rio Rancho +
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Augusta +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Augusta +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $50,294 | Augusta + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $28,418 | Augusta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $53,141 | Augusta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 24.2% | Augusta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 19.6% | Augusta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $362,476 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Augusta +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Augusta +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 834 | Augusta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 3177 | Augusta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Rio Rancho
15.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Rio Rancho
10.5%
| Metric | Augusta, 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
Augusta
63.9°F
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 55.7°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Augusta, 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
Augusta
22.1 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Augusta leads in median household income at $53,134, while augusta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $177,114. On public safety, Augusta is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Rio Rancho has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³).
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