Corpus Christi TX 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)
Corpus Christi, TX
Texas · Population: 317,383
- Median HH Income$66,325
- Median Home Price$226,494
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+24.3%
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
Corpus Christi
317,383
Corpus Christi +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Corpus Christi
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Corpus Christi
36.3
Corpus Christi +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Corpus Christi
8.7%
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
White
Corpus Christi
54.7%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Corpus Christi
4.3%
Corpus Christi +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Corpus Christi
2.5%
Corpus Christi +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Corpus Christi
61.4%
Corpus Christi +
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Spanish at Home
Corpus Christi
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 317,383 | 47,823 | Corpus Christi + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 36.8 | Corpus Christi + |
| Foreign Born | 8.7% | 11.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 54.7% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 4.3% | 1.8% | Corpus Christi + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.6% | Corpus Christi + |
| Hispanic | 61.4% | 61.1% | Corpus Christi + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Corpus Christi
$66,325
Corpus Christi +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Corpus Christi
$33,579
Corpus Christi +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Corpus Christi
$63,758
Corpus Christi +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Corpus Christi
5.4%
Corpus Christi +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Corpus Christi
17.5%
Corpus Christi +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Corpus Christi
24.3%
Corpus Christi +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,325 | $50,294 | Corpus Christi + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,579 | $28,418 | Corpus Christi + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $53,141 | Corpus Christi + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 5.9% | Corpus Christi + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.5% | 24.2% | Corpus Christi + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.3% | 19.6% | Corpus Christi + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Corpus Christi
$226,494
Corpus Christi +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
Corpus Christi
57.9%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,494 | $362,476 | Corpus Christi + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
442
Corpus Christi +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
2339
Corpus Christi +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 834 | Corpus Christi + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3177 | Corpus Christi + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
39.7%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
15.9%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Corpus Christi
16.8%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
24.3%
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
18.3%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
13.5%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.3% | 11.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corpus Christi
72.1°F
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corpus Christi
32.5 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.1°F | 55.7°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.5 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
9.2 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Corpus Christi
55.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rio Rancho + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Corpus Christi
22.0 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Corpus Christi leads in median household income at $66,325, while corpus Christi offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,494. On public safety, Corpus Christi is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Corpus Christi has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, 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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