Bend OR 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)
Bend, OR
Oregon · Population: 97,502
- Median HH Income$94,279
- Median Home Price$735,193
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+49.3%
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
Bend
97,502
Bend +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bend
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Bend
37.6
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
Foreign Born
Bend
17.6%
Bend +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
Bend
65.5%
Bend +
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Black
Bend
2.8%
Bend +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Bend
11.4%
Bend +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Bend
17.3%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Bend
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,502 | 47,823 | Bend + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 36.8 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 17.6% | 11.6% | Bend + |
| White | 65.5% | 62.2% | Bend + |
| Black | 2.8% | 1.8% | Bend + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 1.6% | Bend + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bend
$94,279
Bend +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Bend
$51,659
Bend +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bend
$63,691
Bend +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Bend
4.2%
Bend +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Bend
9.9%
Bend +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bend
49.3%
Bend +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,279 | $50,294 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,659 | $28,418 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $53,141 | Bend + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 5.9% | Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% | 24.2% | Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.3% | 19.6% | Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bend
$735,193
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Homeownership Rate
Bend
49.8%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $735,193 | $362,476 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
355
Bend +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
3001
Bend +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Bend, OR | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 834 | Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 3177 | Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
26.5%
Bend +
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
8.9%
Bend +
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bend
16.0%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bend
6.5%
Bend +
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bend
17.7%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bend
10.0%
Bend +
Rio Rancho
10.5%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.5% | 31.9% | Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 10.6% | Bend + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 11.5% | Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 10.5% | Bend + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
46.6°F
Bend +
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
11.4 in
Bend +
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
| Metric | Bend, OR | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6°F | 55.7°F | Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.4 in | 12.3 in | Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bend
9.0 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bend
55.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rio Rancho + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bend
26.1 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bend leads in median household income at $94,279, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bend scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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