Baton Rouge LA 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)
Baton Rouge, LA
Louisiana · Population: 223,699
- Median HH Income$49,944
- Median Home Price$231,011
- Unemployment9.0%
- Bachelor's+35.8%
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
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 47,823 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 36.8 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 11.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 36.2% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 51.0% | 1.8% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 1.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Rio Rancho +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Baton Rouge +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Baton Rouge +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Rio Rancho +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Rio Rancho +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $50,294 | Rio Rancho + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $28,418 | Baton Rouge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $53,141 | Baton Rouge + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 5.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 24.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 19.6% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $362,476 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Baton Rouge +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Baton Rouge +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 834 | Baton Rouge + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 3177 | Baton Rouge + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.5% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rio Rancho leads in median household income at $50,294, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Baton Rouge is safer with a violent crime rate of 643 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%.
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