El Paso 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)
El Paso, TX
Texas · Population: 678,147
- Median HH Income$58,734
- Median Home Price$235,994
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
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
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
El Paso
39.3%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
El Paso
3.6%
El Paso +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Rio Rancho +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 47,823 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 36.8 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 11.6% | El Paso + |
| White | 39.3% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 3.6% | 1.8% | El Paso + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 1.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 61.1% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
El Paso +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
El Paso +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
El Paso +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Rio Rancho +
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
El Paso +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
El Paso +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $50,294 | El Paso + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $28,418 | El Paso + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $53,141 | El Paso + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 5.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 24.2% | El Paso + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 19.6% | El Paso + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $362,476 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
El Paso +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
El Paso +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 834 | El Paso + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3177 | El Paso + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
33.8%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 11.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | 55.7°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | 12.3 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | El Paso, 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
El Paso
25.1 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
El Paso leads in median household income at $58,734, while el Paso offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $235,994. On public safety, El Paso is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 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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