Columbia SC 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)
Columbia, SC
South Carolina · Population: 138,019
- Median HH Income$55,653
- Median Home Price$229,993
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
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
Columbia
138,019
Columbia +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Columbia +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 47,823 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 36.8 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 11.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 49.9% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 39.5% | 1.8% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 1.6% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Columbia +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Columbia +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Rio Rancho +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Columbia +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $50,294 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $28,418 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $53,141 | Columbia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 24.2% | Columbia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 19.6% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $362,476 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 834 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3177 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 11.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 55.7°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 19.1 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbia leads in median household income at $55,653, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Columbia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 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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