Fort Collins CO 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)
Fort Collins, CO
Colorado · Population: 169,705
- Median HH Income$83,598
- Median Home Price$568,389
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+59.9%
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
Fort Collins
169,705
Fort Collins +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Collins
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Fort Collins
6.6%
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
White
Fort Collins
81.7%
Fort Collins +
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Black
Fort Collins
1.4%
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Rio Rancho +
Asian
Fort Collins
3.4%
Fort Collins +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Fort Collins
12.3%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Fort Collins
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 47,823 | Fort Collins + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.6 | 36.8 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 11.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 81.7% | 62.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Black | 1.4% | 1.8% | Rio Rancho + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 1.6% | Fort Collins + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Collins
$83,598
Fort Collins +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Fort Collins
$46,341
Fort Collins +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Collins
$76,653
Fort Collins +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Fort Collins
5.2%
Fort Collins +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Fort Collins
16.0%
Fort Collins +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Collins
59.9%
Fort Collins +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,598 | $50,294 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,341 | $28,418 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $53,141 | Fort Collins + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.9% | Fort Collins + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 24.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.9% | 19.6% | Fort Collins + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Collins
$568,389
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Collins
52.1%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $568,389 | $362,476 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.1% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
512
Fort Collins +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
3234
Rio Rancho
3177
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 834 | Fort Collins + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 3177 | Rio Rancho + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
23.8%
Fort Collins +
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Collins
18.7%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.4%
Fort Collins +
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
20.3%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.9%
Fort Collins +
Rio Rancho
10.5%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 31.9% | Fort Collins + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 10.6% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 11.5% | Fort Collins + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 10.5% | Fort Collins + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Fort Collins +
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
16.1 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 55.7°F | Fort Collins + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.1 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
6.2 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Collins
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Collins
21.8 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.8 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Collins leads in median household income at $83,598, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Fort Collins is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Fort Collins has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Collins scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.8%.
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