Austin 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)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
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
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Austin +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Austin +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
Austin
59.9%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Austin
7.5%
Austin +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Austin +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 47,823 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 36.8 | Austin + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 11.6% | Austin + |
| White | 59.9% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 7.5% | 1.8% | Austin + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 1.6% | Austin + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Austin +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Austin +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Austin +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Austin +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $50,294 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $28,418 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $53,141 | Austin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 5.9% | Austin + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 24.2% | Austin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 19.6% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $362,476 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Austin +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Austin +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Austin, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 834 | Austin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3177 | Austin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
30.1%
Austin +
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
Rio Rancho
10.5%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 31.9% | Austin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 10.6% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 11.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 10.5% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | 55.7°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Austin, 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
Austin
25.8 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Austin leads in median household income at $91,461, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Austin is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Austin has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Austin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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