Fayetteville NC 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, NC
North Carolina · Population: 209,692
- Median HH Income$56,395
- Median Home Price$226,710
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
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
209,692
Fayetteville +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 47,823 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 36.8 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 11.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 38.3% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 42.3% | 1.8% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 1.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Fayetteville +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Fayetteville +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Fayetteville +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Rio Rancho +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Fayetteville +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Fayetteville +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $50,294 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $28,418 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $53,141 | Fayetteville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 5.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 24.2% | Fayetteville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 19.6% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $362,476 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Fayetteville +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Fayetteville +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 834 | Fayetteville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3177 | Fayetteville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 55.7°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | 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
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fayetteville leads in median household income at $56,395, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,710. On public safety, Fayetteville is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 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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