Denver 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)
Denver, CO
Colorado · Population: 713,734
- Median HH Income$91,681
- Median Home Price$541,899
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+55.6%
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
Denver
713,734
Denver +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Denver
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Denver
35.2
Denver +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Denver
13.9%
Denver +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
Denver
62.9%
Denver +
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Black
Denver
8.8%
Denver +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Denver
3.6%
Denver +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Denver
27.9%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Denver
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Denver, CO | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 713,734 | 47,823 | Denver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 36.8 | Denver + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 11.6% | Denver + |
| White | 62.9% | 62.2% | Denver + |
| Black | 8.8% | 1.8% | Denver + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 1.6% | Denver + |
| Hispanic | 27.9% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Denver
$91,681
Denver +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Denver
$61,202
Denver +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Denver
$76,653
Denver +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Denver
4.6%
Denver +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Denver
11.2%
Denver +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Denver
55.6%
Denver +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,681 | $50,294 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Income | $61,202 | $28,418 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $53,141 | Denver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.9% | Denver + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.2% | 24.2% | Denver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.6% | 19.6% | Denver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Denver
$541,899
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Homeownership Rate
Denver
49.1%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $541,899 | $362,476 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
512
Denver +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
3234
Rio Rancho
3177
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 834 | Denver + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 3177 | Rio Rancho + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Denver
21.6%
Denver +
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Denver
7.1%
Denver +
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Denver
15.5%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Denver
13.3%
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Denver
25.9%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Denver
10.2%
Denver +
Rio Rancho
10.5%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.6% | 31.9% | Denver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 10.6% | Denver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 11.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 25.9% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 10.5% | Denver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
N/A
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
17.2 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.2 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Denver
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Denver, 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
Denver
27.4 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Denver leads in median household income at $91,681, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Denver is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Denver has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Denver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.6%.
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