Casper WY 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)
Casper, WY
Wyoming · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$308,116
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Casper
N/A
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Casper
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Casper
N/A
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Casper
N/A
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
Casper
N/A
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Black
Casper
N/A
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Casper
N/A
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Casper
N/A
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Spanish at Home
Casper
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Casper, WY | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 47,823 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 36.8 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 11.6% | - |
| White | N/A | 62.2% | - |
| Black | N/A | 1.8% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 1.6% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 61.1% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Casper
N/A
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Casper
N/A
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Casper
$77,800
Casper +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Casper
N/A
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Casper
N/A
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Casper
N/A
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Casper, WY | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $50,294 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $28,418 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,800 | $53,141 | Casper + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.9% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 24.2% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 19.6% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Casper
$308,116
Casper +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
Casper
N/A
Rio Rancho
66.4%
| Metric | Casper, WY | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $308,116 | $362,476 | Casper + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 66.4% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Casper
222
Casper +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Casper
1522
Casper +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Casper, WY | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 222 | 834 | Casper + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1522 | 3177 | Casper + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Casper
36.6%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Casper
11.0%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Casper
16.9%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Casper
11.8%
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Casper
16.3%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Casper
15.2%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Casper, WY | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.6% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Casper
47.3°F
Casper +
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Casper
12.5 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Casper, WY | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3°F | 55.7°F | Casper + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.5 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Casper
3.9 µg/m³
Casper +
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Casper
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Casper, WY | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 3.9 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Casper + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Casper
N/A
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
| Metric | Casper, WY | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 19.1 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Casper offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $308,116. On public safety, Casper is safer with a violent crime rate of 222 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Casper has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 3.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rio Rancho scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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