Bakersfield CA 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)
Bakersfield, CA
California · Population: 408,366
- Median HH Income$77,397
- Median Home Price$396,712
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+23.3%
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
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Bakersfield +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 47,823 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 36.8 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 11.6% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 6.2% | 1.8% | Bakersfield + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 1.6% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Bakersfield +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Rio Rancho +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Bakersfield +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Bakersfield +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $50,294 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $28,418 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $53,141 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 5.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 24.2% | Bakersfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 19.6% | Bakersfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $362,476 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Bakersfield +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Bakersfield +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 834 | Bakersfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3177 | Bakersfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 11.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 55.7°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 12.3 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bakersfield leads in median household income at $77,397, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Bakersfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 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). For overall health outcomes, Rio Rancho scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
Compare More Cities
Bakersfield, CA vs New York, NYBakersfield, CA vs Los Angeles, CABakersfield, CA vs Chicago, ILBakersfield, CA vs Houston, TXBakersfield, CA vs Phoenix, AZBakersfield, CA vs Philadelphia, PA