Boise ID 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)
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
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
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Rio Rancho +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Boise +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 47,823 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 36.8 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 11.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 83.6% | 62.2% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 1.8% | Rio Rancho + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 1.6% | Boise + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Boise +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $50,294 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $28,418 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $53,141 | Boise + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 5.9% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 24.2% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 19.6% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $362,476 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Boise, ID | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 834 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 3177 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Rio Rancho
15.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Rio Rancho
10.5%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 31.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 15.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.5% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.0% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.5% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Boise +
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 55.7°F | Boise + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³).
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