Clearwater FL 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)
Clearwater, FL
Florida · Population: 117,075
- Median HH Income$64,440
- Median Home Price$341,503
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+32.5%
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
Clearwater
117,075
Clearwater +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Clearwater +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Clearwater +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Clearwater +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 47,823 | Clearwater + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 36.8 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 11.6% | Clearwater + |
| White | 70.3% | 62.2% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 10.2% | 1.8% | Clearwater + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 1.6% | Clearwater + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Clearwater +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Clearwater +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Clearwater +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Clearwater +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Clearwater +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Clearwater +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $50,294 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $28,418 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $53,141 | Clearwater + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.9% | Clearwater + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 24.2% | Clearwater + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 19.6% | Clearwater + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Clearwater +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $362,476 | Clearwater + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Clearwater +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 834 | Clearwater + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 3177 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 11.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | 55.7°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clearwater
25.3 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Clearwater leads in median household income at $64,440, while clearwater offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,503. On public safety, Clearwater is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Clearwater has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, 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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