Birmingham AL 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)
Birmingham, AL
Alabama · Population: 199,322
- Median HH Income$44,376
- Median Home Price$137,201
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+30.7%
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
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Birmingham +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Rio Rancho +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 47,823 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 36.8 | Birmingham + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 11.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 25.6% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 67.1% | 1.8% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 1.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Rio Rancho +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Birmingham +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Rio Rancho +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Rio Rancho +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Rio Rancho +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Birmingham +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $50,294 | Rio Rancho + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $28,418 | Birmingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $53,141 | Rio Rancho + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 24.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 19.6% | Birmingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $362,476 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Birmingham +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 834 | Birmingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 3177 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Birmingham +
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 11.5% | Birmingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 15.0% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 55.7°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rio Rancho leads in median household income at $50,294, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Birmingham is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 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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