Carmel IN 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)
Carmel, IN
Indiana · Population: 100,501
- Median HH Income$134,602
- Median Home Price$570,592
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+74.5%
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
Carmel
100,501
Carmel +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Carmel +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 47,823 | Carmel + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 36.8 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 11.6% | Carmel + |
| White | 77.5% | 62.2% | Carmel + |
| Black | 3.7% | 1.8% | Carmel + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 1.6% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Carmel +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $50,294 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $28,418 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $53,141 | Carmel + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 5.9% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 24.2% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 19.6% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
Rio Rancho
66.4%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $362,476 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 66.4% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Carmel +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Carmel +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 834 | Carmel + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 3177 | Carmel + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Carmel +
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Carmel +
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
Rio Rancho
15.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
Rio Rancho
10.5%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 31.9% | Carmel + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.6% | Carmel + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 15.4% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 11.5% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 10.5% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Carmel +
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 55.7°F | Carmel + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rio Rancho + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Carmel is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Carmel scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.8%.
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