Elizabeth NJ 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)
Elizabeth, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 135,887
- Median HH Income$63,874
- Median Home Price$531,592
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+14.2%
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
Elizabeth
135,887
Elizabeth +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Elizabeth +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Elizabeth +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 47,823 | Elizabeth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 36.8 | Elizabeth + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 11.6% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 17.1% | 1.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 1.6% | Elizabeth + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 61.1% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Elizabeth +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Elizabeth +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Rio Rancho +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Elizabeth +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Rio Rancho
19.6%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $50,294 | Elizabeth + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $28,418 | Elizabeth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $53,141 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 5.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 24.2% | Elizabeth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 19.6% | Rio Rancho + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $362,476 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 834 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 3177 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 11.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.0% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 12.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | 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
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elizabeth leads in median household income at $63,874, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 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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