Escondido 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)
Escondido, CA
California · Population: 107,066
- Median HH Income$64,484
- Median Home Price$849,335
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+14.7%
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
Escondido
107,066
Escondido +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Escondido
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Escondido
38.1
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
Foreign Born
Escondido
49.7%
Escondido +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
Escondido
13.7%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Escondido
0.6%
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Rio Rancho +
Asian
Escondido
29.3%
Escondido +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Escondido
65.1%
Escondido +
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Spanish at Home
Escondido
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,066 | 47,823 | Escondido + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 36.8 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 49.7% | 11.6% | Escondido + |
| White | 13.7% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 0.6% | 1.8% | Rio Rancho + |
| Asian | 29.3% | 1.6% | Escondido + |
| Hispanic | 65.1% | 61.1% | Escondido + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Escondido
$64,484
Escondido +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Escondido
$24,356
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Rio Rancho +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Escondido
$77,230
Escondido +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Escondido
6.4%
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Rio Rancho +
Poverty Rate
Escondido
17.2%
Escondido +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Escondido
14.7%
Rio Rancho
19.6%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,484 | $50,294 | Escondido + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,356 | $28,418 | Rio Rancho + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $53,141 | Escondido + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.4% | 5.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 24.2% | Escondido + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.7% | 19.6% | Rio Rancho + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Escondido
$849,335
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Homeownership Rate
Escondido
40.1%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,335 | $362,476 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.1% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Escondido
503
Escondido +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Escondido
2388
Escondido +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 834 | Escondido + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3177 | Escondido + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Escondido
28.1%
Escondido +
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Escondido
11.3%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Escondido
18.0%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Escondido
14.1%
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Escondido
16.2%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Escondido
12.2%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 31.9% | Escondido + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 11.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Escondido
N/A
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Escondido
11.1 in
Escondido +
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.1 in | 12.3 in | Escondido + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Escondido
7.9 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Escondido
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Escondido, 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
Escondido
31.6 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Escondido leads in median household income at $64,484, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Escondido 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, Escondido scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.1%.
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