Boulder CO 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)
Boulder, CO
Colorado · Population: 106,274
- Median HH Income$85,364
- Median Home Price$970,905
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+76.8%
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
Boulder
106,274
Boulder +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boulder
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Boulder
10.2%
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
White
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Black
Boulder
1.1%
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Rio Rancho +
Asian
Boulder
5.8%
Boulder +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Boulder
11.2%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Boulder
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 47,823 | Boulder + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 36.8 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 11.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 81.8% | 62.2% | Boulder + |
| Black | 1.1% | 1.8% | Rio Rancho + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 1.6% | Boulder + |
| Hispanic | 11.2% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boulder
$85,364
Boulder +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Boulder
$59,450
Boulder +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boulder
$76,653
Boulder +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Boulder
6.1%
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Rio Rancho +
Poverty Rate
Boulder
21.8%
Boulder +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,364 | $50,294 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,450 | $28,418 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $53,141 | Boulder + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.8% | 24.2% | Boulder + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 76.8% | 19.6% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boulder
$970,905
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Homeownership Rate
Boulder
47.9%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $970,905 | $362,476 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.9% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
512
Boulder +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
3234
Rio Rancho
3177
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 834 | Boulder + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 3177 | Rio Rancho + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boulder
17.9%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boulder
8.6%
Boulder +
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boulder
19.8%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boulder
9.0%
Boulder +
Rio Rancho
10.5%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 31.9% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.7% | 10.6% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 11.5% | Boulder + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 10.5% | Boulder + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
51.6°F
Boulder +
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
20.7 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 55.7°F | Boulder + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boulder
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boulder
21.0 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boulder leads in median household income at $85,364, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Boulder is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 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, Boulder scores better with a lower obesity rate of 16.5%.
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