Centennial 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)
Centennial, CO
Colorado · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$650,791
- 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
Centennial
N/A
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Centennial
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Centennial
N/A
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Centennial
N/A
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
Centennial
N/A
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Black
Centennial
N/A
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Centennial
N/A
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Centennial
N/A
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Spanish at Home
Centennial
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Centennial, CO | 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
Centennial
N/A
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Centennial
N/A
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Centennial
$76,653
Centennial +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Centennial
N/A
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Centennial
N/A
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Centennial
N/A
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Centennial, CO | 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 | $76,653 | $53,141 | Centennial + |
| 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
Centennial
$650,791
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Homeownership Rate
Centennial
N/A
Rio Rancho
66.4%
| Metric | Centennial, CO | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $650,791 | $362,476 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 66.4% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Centennial
512
Centennial +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Centennial
3234
Rio Rancho
3177
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Centennial, CO | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 834 | Centennial + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 3177 | Rio Rancho + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Centennial
23.1%
Centennial +
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Centennial
7.3%
Centennial +
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Centennial
13.9%
Centennial +
Rio Rancho
15.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Centennial
6.9%
Centennial +
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Centennial
18.5%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Centennial
8.0%
Centennial +
Rio Rancho
10.5%
| Metric | Centennial, CO | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 31.9% | Centennial + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.3% | 10.6% | Centennial + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.9% | 15.4% | Centennial + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 11.5% | Centennial + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 10.5% | Centennial + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Centennial
49.6°F
Centennial +
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Centennial
17.4 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Centennial, CO | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6°F | 55.7°F | Centennial + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.4 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Centennial
6.2 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Centennial
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Centennial, 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
Centennial
N/A
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
| Metric | Centennial, CO | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 19.1 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Centennial is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Centennial scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.1%.
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