Cheyenne 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)
Cheyenne, WY
Wyoming · Population: 58,754
- Median HH Income$69,171
- Median Home Price$388,590
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+30.0%
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
Cheyenne
58,754
Cheyenne +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cheyenne
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Cheyenne
37.0
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
Foreign Born
Cheyenne
2.1%
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
White
Cheyenne
89.9%
Cheyenne +
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Black
Cheyenne
0.6%
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Rio Rancho +
Asian
Cheyenne
0.5%
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Rio Rancho +
Hispanic
Cheyenne
8.9%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Cheyenne
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 58,754 | 47,823 | Cheyenne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 36.8 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 2.1% | 11.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 89.9% | 62.2% | Cheyenne + |
| Black | 0.6% | 1.8% | Rio Rancho + |
| Asian | 0.5% | 1.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Hispanic | 8.9% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cheyenne
$69,171
Cheyenne +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Cheyenne
$41,460
Cheyenne +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cheyenne
$77,800
Cheyenne +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Cheyenne
3.9%
Cheyenne +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Cheyenne
11.2%
Cheyenne +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cheyenne
30.0%
Cheyenne +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,171 | $50,294 | Cheyenne + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,460 | $28,418 | Cheyenne + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,800 | $53,141 | Cheyenne + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.9% | Cheyenne + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.2% | 24.2% | Cheyenne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.0% | 19.6% | Cheyenne + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cheyenne
$388,590
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Homeownership Rate
Cheyenne
70.3%
Cheyenne +
Rio Rancho
66.4%
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $388,590 | $362,476 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 70.3% | 66.4% | Cheyenne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cheyenne
222
Cheyenne +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cheyenne
1522
Cheyenne +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 222 | 834 | Cheyenne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1522 | 3177 | Cheyenne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
33.9%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
10.6%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cheyenne
16.2%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
12.4%
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
14.2%
Cheyenne +
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
13.3%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.6% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.0% | Cheyenne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cheyenne
46.3°F
Cheyenne +
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cheyenne
16.3 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | 55.7°F | Cheyenne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cheyenne
3.9 µg/m³
Cheyenne +
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cheyenne
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 3.9 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Cheyenne + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cheyenne
17.8 min
Cheyenne +
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.8 min | 19.1 min | Cheyenne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cheyenne leads in median household income at $69,171, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Cheyenne is safer with a violent crime rate of 222 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Cheyenne has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Cheyenne 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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