Colorado Springs CO 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)
Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado · Population: 483,099
- Median HH Income$83,198
- Median Home Price$451,202
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
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
Colorado Springs
483,099
Colorado Springs +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Colorado Springs
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Colorado Springs
35.6
Colorado Springs +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Colorado Springs
7.4%
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
White
Colorado Springs
72.3%
Colorado Springs +
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Black
Colorado Springs
5.8%
Colorado Springs +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Colorado Springs
3.0%
Colorado Springs +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Colorado Springs
18.7%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Colorado Springs
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 483,099 | 47,823 | Colorado Springs + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 36.8 | Colorado Springs + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 11.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 72.3% | 62.2% | Colorado Springs + |
| Black | 5.8% | 1.8% | Colorado Springs + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 1.6% | Colorado Springs + |
| Hispanic | 18.7% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Colorado Springs
$83,198
Colorado Springs +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Colorado Springs
$44,893
Colorado Springs +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Colorado Springs
$76,653
Colorado Springs +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Colorado Springs
5.5%
Colorado Springs +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Colorado Springs
9.3%
Colorado Springs +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Colorado Springs
41.9%
Colorado Springs +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,198 | $50,294 | Colorado Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,893 | $28,418 | Colorado Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $53,141 | Colorado Springs + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.9% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 24.2% | Colorado Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 19.6% | Colorado Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Colorado Springs
$451,202
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Homeownership Rate
Colorado Springs
61.3%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $451,202 | $362,476 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.3% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
512
Colorado Springs +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
3234
Rio Rancho
3177
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 834 | Colorado Springs + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 3177 | Rio Rancho + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
28.4%
Colorado Springs +
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.0%
Colorado Springs +
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Colorado Springs
18.0%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.9%
Colorado Springs +
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
16.5%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
11.0%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.4% | 31.9% | Colorado Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 10.6% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 11.5% | Colorado Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
49.0°F
Colorado Springs +
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
16.5 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.0°F | 55.7°F | Colorado Springs + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.5 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
6.2 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Colorado Springs
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Colorado Springs
24.1 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Colorado Springs leads in median household income at $83,198, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Colorado Springs is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Colorado Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Colorado Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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