Chandler AZ 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)
Chandler, AZ
Arizona · Population: 278,123
- Median HH Income$103,691
- Median Home Price$524,013
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+46.8%
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
Chandler
278,123
Chandler +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chandler
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Chandler
37.4
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
Foreign Born
Chandler
15.4%
Chandler +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
Chandler
62.6%
Chandler +
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Black
Chandler
5.2%
Chandler +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Chandler
11.4%
Chandler +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Chandler
21.4%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Chandler
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 278,123 | 47,823 | Chandler + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 36.8 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 15.4% | 11.6% | Chandler + |
| White | 62.6% | 62.2% | Chandler + |
| Black | 5.2% | 1.8% | Chandler + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 1.6% | Chandler + |
| Hispanic | 21.4% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chandler
$103,691
Chandler +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Chandler
$51,746
Chandler +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chandler
$59,120
Chandler +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Chandler
3.6%
Chandler +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Chandler
7.7%
Chandler +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chandler
46.8%
Chandler +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $103,691 | $50,294 | Chandler + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,746 | $28,418 | Chandler + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $53,141 | Chandler + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 5.9% | Chandler + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.7% | 24.2% | Chandler + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.8% | 19.6% | Chandler + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chandler
$524,013
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Homeownership Rate
Chandler
65.6%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $524,013 | $362,476 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.6% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chandler
450
Chandler +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chandler
2150
Chandler +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 834 | Chandler + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 3177 | Chandler + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chandler
28.2%
Chandler +
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chandler
9.1%
Chandler +
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chandler
14.1%
Chandler +
Rio Rancho
15.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chandler
9.7%
Chandler +
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chandler
16.7%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chandler
9.4%
Chandler +
Rio Rancho
10.5%
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.2% | 31.9% | Chandler + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 10.6% | Chandler + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.1% | 15.4% | Chandler + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 11.5% | Chandler + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 10.5% | Chandler + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chandler
N/A
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chandler
N/A
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 12.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chandler
7.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chandler
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chandler
26.1 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chandler leads in median household income at $103,691, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Chandler is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Chandler has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chandler scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.2%.
Compare More Cities
Chandler, AZ vs New York, NYChandler, AZ vs Los Angeles, CAChandler, AZ vs Chicago, ILChandler, AZ vs Houston, TXChandler, AZ vs Phoenix, AZChandler, AZ vs Philadelphia, PA