Aurora CO 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)
Aurora, CO
Colorado · Population: 390,201
- Median HH Income$84,320
- Median Home Price$464,881
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+32.9%
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
Aurora
390,201
Aurora +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
35.1
Aurora +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Aurora
21.8%
Aurora +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
Aurora
49.2%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Aurora
15.8%
Aurora +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Aurora
6.0%
Aurora +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Aurora
30.6%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 47,823 | Aurora + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 36.8 | Aurora + |
| Foreign Born | 21.8% | 11.6% | Aurora + |
| White | 49.2% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 15.8% | 1.8% | Aurora + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 1.6% | Aurora + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$84,320
Aurora +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$40,424
Aurora +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$76,653
Aurora +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
5.7%
Aurora +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Aurora
11.3%
Aurora +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
32.9%
Aurora +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,320 | $50,294 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,424 | $28,418 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $53,141 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 5.9% | Aurora + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 24.2% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 19.6% | Aurora + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$464,881
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
63.3%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $464,881 | $362,476 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
512
Aurora +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
3234
Rio Rancho
3177
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 834 | Aurora + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 3177 | Rio Rancho + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
29.1%
Aurora +
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
9.5%
Aurora +
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
17.6%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
16.1%
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.4%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
12.7%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.1% | 31.9% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 10.6% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 11.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 12.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
6.2 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
30.9 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.9 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Aurora leads in median household income at $84,320, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Aurora is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Aurora 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, Aurora scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
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