Columbus OH 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)
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
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
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
Columbus
53.3%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 47,823 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 36.8 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 11.6% | Columbus + |
| White | 53.3% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 29.0% | 1.8% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 1.6% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Columbus +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Columbus +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Columbus +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Columbus +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Columbus +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Columbus +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $50,294 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $28,418 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $53,141 | Columbus + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.9% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 24.2% | Columbus + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 19.6% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $362,476 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Columbus +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 834 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 3177 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Columbus +
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 11.5% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rio Rancho + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
23.4 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbus leads in median household income at $65,327, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,749. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, 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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