Elk Grove CA 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)
Elk Grove, CA
California · Population: 177,221
- Median HH Income$122,229
- Median Home Price$637,623
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+38.0%
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
Elk Grove
177,221
Elk Grove +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elk Grove
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Elk Grove
39.0
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
Foreign Born
Elk Grove
25.0%
Elk Grove +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
Elk Grove
34.9%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Elk Grove
10.9%
Elk Grove +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Elk Grove
31.8%
Elk Grove +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Elk Grove
18.0%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Elk Grove
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,221 | 47,823 | Elk Grove + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 36.8 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 25.0% | 11.6% | Elk Grove + |
| White | 34.9% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 10.9% | 1.8% | Elk Grove + |
| Asian | 31.8% | 1.6% | Elk Grove + |
| Hispanic | 18.0% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elk Grove
$122,229
Elk Grove +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Elk Grove
$44,932
Elk Grove +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elk Grove
$77,230
Elk Grove +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Elk Grove
6.7%
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Rio Rancho +
Poverty Rate
Elk Grove
7.4%
Elk Grove +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elk Grove
38.0%
Elk Grove +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $122,229 | $50,294 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,932 | $28,418 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $53,141 | Elk Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 24.2% | Elk Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.0% | 19.6% | Elk Grove + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elk Grove
$637,623
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Homeownership Rate
Elk Grove
73.9%
Elk Grove +
Rio Rancho
66.4%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $637,623 | $362,476 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.9% | 66.4% | Elk Grove + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
503
Elk Grove +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
2388
Elk Grove +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 834 | Elk Grove + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3177 | Elk Grove + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
26.2%
Elk Grove +
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.9%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elk Grove
15.9%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
6.7%
Elk Grove +
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
13.2%
Elk Grove +
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.1%
Elk Grove +
Rio Rancho
10.5%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 31.9% | Elk Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 11.5% | Elk Grove + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 15.0% | Elk Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 10.5% | Elk Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | 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.)
Elk Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elk Grove
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elk Grove
33.7 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elk Grove leads in median household income at $122,229, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Elk Grove is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 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, Elk Grove scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
Compare More Cities
Elk Grove, CA vs New York, NYElk Grove, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Elk Grove, CAElk Grove, CA vs Houston, TXElk Grove, CA vs Phoenix, AZElk Grove, CA vs Philadelphia, PA