Charleston WV 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)
Charleston, WV
West Virginia · Population: 47,918
- Median HH Income$64,512
- Median Home Price$164,532
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
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
Charleston
47,918
Charleston +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Charleston +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Charleston +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 47,823 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 36.8 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 11.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 76.6% | 62.2% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 1.8% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 1.6% | Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Charleston +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Rio Rancho +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Rio Rancho +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Charleston +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $50,294 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $28,418 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $53,141 | Rio Rancho + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 5.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 24.2% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 19.6% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $362,476 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 834 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3177 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 11.5% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.0% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Charleston +
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | 55.7°F | Charleston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rio Rancho + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $64,512, while charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $164,532. On public safety, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Rio Rancho has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rio Rancho scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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