Cary NC 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)
Cary, NC
North Carolina · Population: 176,686
- Median HH Income$129,399
- Median Home Price$629,864
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+70.2%
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
Cary
176,686
Cary +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cary
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Cary
39.8
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
Foreign Born
Cary
23.7%
Cary +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
Cary
60.1%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Cary
7.6%
Cary +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Cary
20.4%
Cary +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Cary
9.3%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Cary
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Cary, NC | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,686 | 47,823 | Cary + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.8 | 36.8 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 11.6% | Cary + |
| White | 60.1% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 7.6% | 1.8% | Cary + |
| Asian | 20.4% | 1.6% | Cary + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cary
$129,399
Cary +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Cary
$64,590
Cary +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cary
$59,120
Cary +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Cary
3.4%
Cary +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cary
70.2%
Cary +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,399 | $50,294 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,590 | $28,418 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $53,141 | Cary + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 5.9% | Cary + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.3% | 24.2% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.2% | 19.6% | Cary + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cary
$629,864
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Homeownership Rate
Cary
66.3%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $629,864 | $362,476 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.3% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
398
Cary +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
1999
Cary +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Cary, NC | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 834 | Cary + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3177 | Cary + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
25.3%
Cary +
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
8.6%
Cary +
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cary
12.8%
Cary +
Rio Rancho
15.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cary
6.2%
Cary +
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cary
14.3%
Cary +
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cary
7.7%
Cary +
Rio Rancho
10.5%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 31.9% | Cary + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 10.6% | Cary + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.8% | 15.4% | Cary + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 11.5% | Cary + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.0% | Cary + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 10.5% | Cary + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
59.4°F
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
46.3 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.4°F | 55.7°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cary
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cary, NC | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cary
24.3 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cary leads in median household income at $129,399, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Cary is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Cary has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cary scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.3%.
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