Chula Vista CA 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)
Chula Vista, CA
California · Population: 8,933
- Median HH Income$104,238
- Median Home Price$849,245
- Unemployment2.2%
- Bachelor's+26.9%
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
Chula Vista
8,933
Rio Rancho
47,823
Rio Rancho +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chula Vista
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Chula Vista
42.9
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
Foreign Born
Chula Vista
20.0%
Chula Vista +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
Chula Vista
65.7%
Chula Vista +
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Black
Chula Vista
0.7%
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Rio Rancho +
Asian
Chula Vista
0.7%
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Rio Rancho +
Hispanic
Chula Vista
36.5%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Chula Vista
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,933 | 47,823 | Rio Rancho + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 36.8 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | 11.6% | Chula Vista + |
| White | 65.7% | 62.2% | Chula Vista + |
| Black | 0.7% | 1.8% | Rio Rancho + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 1.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Hispanic | 36.5% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chula Vista
$104,238
Chula Vista +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Chula Vista
$49,562
Chula Vista +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chula Vista
$77,230
Chula Vista +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Chula Vista
2.2%
Chula Vista +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Chula Vista
4.5%
Chula Vista +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chula Vista
26.9%
Chula Vista +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,238 | $50,294 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,562 | $28,418 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $53,141 | Chula Vista + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.2% | 5.9% | Chula Vista + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.5% | 24.2% | Chula Vista + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.9% | 19.6% | Chula Vista + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chula Vista
$849,245
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Homeownership Rate
Chula Vista
71.4%
Chula Vista +
Rio Rancho
66.4%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,245 | $362,476 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.4% | 66.4% | Chula Vista + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
503
Chula Vista +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
2388
Chula Vista +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 834 | Chula Vista + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3177 | Chula Vista + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
26.6%
Chula Vista +
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
11.4%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chula Vista
16.0%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
12.4%
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
15.7%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
9.6%
Chula Vista +
Rio Rancho
10.5%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.6% | 31.9% | Chula Vista + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.5% | Chula Vista + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
63.5°F
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
9.8 in
Chula Vista +
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | 55.7°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 9.8 in | 12.3 in | Chula Vista + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
7.9 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chula Vista
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chula Vista
26.9 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.9 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chula Vista leads in median household income at $104,238, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Chula Vista is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Chula Vista has a lower unemployment rate at 2.2%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chula Vista scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.6%.
Compare More Cities
Chula Vista, CA vs New York, NYChula Vista, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Chula Vista, CAChula Vista, CA vs Houston, TXChula Vista, CA vs Phoenix, AZChula Vista, CA vs Philadelphia, PA