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

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%

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 +

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 +

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 +

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 +

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

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Colorado Springs
24.1 min
Rio Rancho
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%.

Compare More Cities

About Colorado Springs & Rio Rancho