Fayetteville AR 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)
Fayetteville, AR
Arkansas · Population: 97,227
- Median HH Income$59,074
- Median Home Price$380,101
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+49.8%
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
Fayetteville
97,227
Fayetteville +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Fayetteville +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 47,823 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 36.8 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 11.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 75.6% | 62.2% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 1.8% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 1.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Fayetteville +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Fayetteville +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Fayetteville +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Fayetteville +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $50,294 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $28,418 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $53,141 | Fayetteville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 24.2% | Fayetteville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 19.6% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $362,476 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Fayetteville +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Fayetteville +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 834 | Fayetteville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 3177 | Fayetteville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Fayetteville +
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 10.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 11.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | 55.7°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rio Rancho + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fayetteville leads in median household income at $59,074, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Fayetteville is safer with a violent crime rate of 660 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, 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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