Chicago IL 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)
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
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
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
Chicago
39.1%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 47,823 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 36.8 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 11.6% | Chicago + |
| White | 39.1% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 28.4% | 1.8% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 1.6% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Rio Rancho +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Chicago +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $50,294 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $28,418 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $53,141 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 24.2% | Chicago + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 19.6% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $362,476 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 834 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 3177 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 11.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 55.7°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rio Rancho + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chicago leads in median household income at $75,134, while chicago offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,183. On public safety, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 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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