Durham NC 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)
Durham, NC
North Carolina · Population: 288,465
- Median HH Income$79,234
- Median Home Price$399,509
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+55.7%
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
Durham
288,465
Durham +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Durham +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Durham +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
Durham
44.0%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Durham +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 47,823 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 36.8 | Durham + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 11.6% | Durham + |
| White | 44.0% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 34.4% | 1.8% | Durham + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 1.6% | Durham + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Durham +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Durham +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Durham +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $50,294 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $28,418 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $53,141 | Durham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 5.9% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 24.2% | Durham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 19.6% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $362,476 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Durham +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Durham +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Durham, NC | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 834 | Durham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3177 | Durham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
36.8%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Durham +
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Durham +
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 10.6% | Durham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 11.5% | Durham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.9°F | 55.7°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Durham, NC | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Durham
24.3 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Durham leads in median household income at $79,234, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Durham is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, 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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