Billings MT 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)
Billings, MT
Montana · Population: 118,321
- Median HH Income$71,855
- Median Home Price$398,212
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+37.0%
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
Billings
118,321
Billings +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Billings
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Billings
38.1
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
Foreign Born
Billings
2.0%
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
White
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Black
Billings
1.0%
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Rio Rancho +
Asian
Billings
0.9%
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Rio Rancho +
Hispanic
Billings
7.2%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Billings
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 47,823 | Billings + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 36.8 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 2.0% | 11.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 86.3% | 62.2% | Billings + |
| Black | 1.0% | 1.8% | Rio Rancho + |
| Asian | 0.9% | 1.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Hispanic | 7.2% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Billings
$71,855
Billings +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Billings
$42,639
Billings +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Billings
$62,117
Billings +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Billings
10.6%
Billings +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Billings
37.0%
Billings +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,855 | $50,294 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,639 | $28,418 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $53,141 | Billings + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 5.9% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 24.2% | Billings + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.0% | 19.6% | Billings + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Billings
$398,212
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Homeownership Rate
Billings
64.8%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $398,212 | $362,476 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.8% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
433
Billings +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
1984
Billings +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Billings, MT | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 834 | Billings + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 3177 | Billings + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
33.9%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.5%
Billings +
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Billings
18.0%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.4%
Billings +
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Billings
20.0%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Billings
14.1%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 10.6% | Billings + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 11.5% | Billings + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
47.7°F
Billings +
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
14.8 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | 55.7°F | Billings + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.8 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Billings
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Billings, MT | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
| Metric | Billings, MT | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.0 min | 19.1 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Billings leads in median household income at $71,855, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Billings is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Billings has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, 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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