Fort Lauderdale FL 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 Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
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
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Fort Lauderdale +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
Foreign Born
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Fort Lauderdale +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 47,823 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 36.8 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 26.7% | 11.6% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 51.3% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 28.8% | 1.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 1.6% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Hispanic | 20.1% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Fort Lauderdale +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Fort Lauderdale +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,935 | $50,294 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,845 | $28,418 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $53,141 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.9% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 24.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.8% | 19.6% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,297 | $362,476 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
324
Fort Lauderdale +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 834 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 3177 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 31.9% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 11.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.5°F | 55.7°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.5 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.5 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Lauderdale leads in median household income at $79,935, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Fort Lauderdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Fort Lauderdale has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Lauderdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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