Eugene OR 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)
Eugene, OR
Oregon · Population: 177,520
- Median HH Income$63,836
- Median Home Price$478,489
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+44.2%
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
Eugene
177,520
Eugene +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Eugene
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Eugene
35.4
Eugene +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Eugene
6.8%
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
White
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Black
Eugene
1.8%
Eugene +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Eugene
3.9%
Eugene +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Eugene
11.4%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Eugene
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | 47,823 | Eugene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 36.8 | Eugene + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 11.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 78.9% | 62.2% | Eugene + |
| Black | 1.8% | 1.8% | Eugene + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 1.6% | Eugene + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Eugene
$63,836
Eugene +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Eugene
$41,035
Eugene +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Eugene
$63,691
Eugene +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Eugene
7.6%
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Rio Rancho +
Poverty Rate
Eugene
18.2%
Eugene +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Eugene
44.2%
Eugene +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,836 | $50,294 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,035 | $28,418 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $53,141 | Eugene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.2% | 24.2% | Eugene + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.2% | 19.6% | Eugene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Eugene
$478,489
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Homeownership Rate
Eugene
47.6%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $478,489 | $362,476 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
355
Eugene +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
3001
Eugene +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 834 | Eugene + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 3177 | Eugene + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
34.0%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
9.4%
Eugene +
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Eugene
19.9%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Eugene
8.3%
Eugene +
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Eugene
15.1%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Eugene
11.9%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 10.6% | Eugene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 11.5% | Eugene + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
52.5°F
Eugene +
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
46.1 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | 55.7°F | Eugene + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Eugene
55.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rio Rancho + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Eugene
19.9 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Eugene leads in median household income at $63,836, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Eugene is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 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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