Boca Raton FL 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)
Boca Raton, FL
Florida · Population: 98,833
- Median HH Income$102,722
- Median Home Price$562,670
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+60.4%
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
Boca Raton
98,833
Boca Raton +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boca Raton
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Boca Raton
45.8
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
Foreign Born
Boca Raton
20.0%
Boca Raton +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
Boca Raton
77.2%
Boca Raton +
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Black
Boca Raton
5.7%
Boca Raton +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Boca Raton
3.0%
Boca Raton +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Boca Raton
15.4%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Boca Raton
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,833 | 47,823 | Boca Raton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 45.8 | 36.8 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | 11.6% | Boca Raton + |
| White | 77.2% | 62.2% | Boca Raton + |
| Black | 5.7% | 1.8% | Boca Raton + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 1.6% | Boca Raton + |
| Hispanic | 15.4% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boca Raton
$102,722
Boca Raton +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Boca Raton
$72,542
Boca Raton +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boca Raton
$65,328
Boca Raton +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Boca Raton
5.9%
Boca Raton +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Boca Raton
9.4%
Boca Raton +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boca Raton
60.4%
Boca Raton +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $102,722 | $50,294 | Boca Raton + |
| Per Capita Income | $72,542 | $28,418 | Boca Raton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $53,141 | Boca Raton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.9% | Boca Raton + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.4% | 24.2% | Boca Raton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.4% | 19.6% | Boca Raton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boca Raton
$562,670
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Homeownership Rate
Boca Raton
65.8%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $562,670 | $362,476 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
324
Boca Raton +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
1453
Boca Raton +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 834 | Boca Raton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 3177 | Boca Raton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
23.2%
Boca Raton +
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
10.4%
Boca Raton +
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boca Raton
14.3%
Boca Raton +
Rio Rancho
15.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
9.7%
Boca Raton +
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
14.7%
Boca Raton +
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
8.8%
Boca Raton +
Rio Rancho
10.5%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.2% | 31.9% | Boca Raton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 10.6% | Boca Raton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.3% | 15.4% | Boca Raton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 11.5% | Boca Raton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 15.0% | Boca Raton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 10.5% | Boca Raton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boca Raton
N/A
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boca Raton
N/A
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 12.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
7.2 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boca Raton
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boca Raton
23.4 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boca Raton leads in median household income at $102,722, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Boca Raton is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Boca Raton 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, Boca Raton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.2%.
Compare More Cities
Boca Raton, FL vs New York, NYBoca Raton, FL vs Los Angeles, CABoca Raton, FL vs Chicago, ILBoca Raton, FL vs Houston, TXBoca Raton, FL vs Phoenix, AZBoca Raton, FL vs Philadelphia, PA