Fremont CA 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)
Fremont, CA
California · Population: 228,518
- Median HH Income$176,350
- Median Home Price$1,538,830
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+62.7%
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
Fremont
228,518
Fremont +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fremont
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Fremont
38.8
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
Foreign Born
Fremont
50.1%
Fremont +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
Fremont
19.4%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Fremont
2.9%
Fremont +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Fremont
62.5%
Fremont +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Fremont
12.9%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Fremont
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 228,518 | 47,823 | Fremont + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.8 | 36.8 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 50.1% | 11.6% | Fremont + |
| White | 19.4% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 2.9% | 1.8% | Fremont + |
| Asian | 62.5% | 1.6% | Fremont + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fremont
$176,350
Fremont +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Fremont
$73,378
Fremont +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fremont
$77,230
Fremont +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Fremont
4.3%
Fremont +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Fremont
5.1%
Fremont +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fremont
62.7%
Fremont +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $176,350 | $50,294 | Fremont + |
| Per Capita Income | $73,378 | $28,418 | Fremont + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $53,141 | Fremont + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.9% | Fremont + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.1% | 24.2% | Fremont + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 62.7% | 19.6% | Fremont + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fremont
$1,538,830
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Homeownership Rate
Fremont
60.2%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,538,830 | $362,476 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fremont
503
Fremont +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fremont
2388
Fremont +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 834 | Fremont + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3177 | Fremont + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fremont
17.3%
Fremont +
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fremont
9.8%
Fremont +
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fremont
12.7%
Fremont +
Rio Rancho
15.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fremont
4.9%
Fremont +
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fremont
13.9%
Fremont +
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fremont
7.3%
Fremont +
Rio Rancho
10.5%
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 31.9% | Fremont + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 10.6% | Fremont + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.7% | 15.4% | Fremont + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.9% | 11.5% | Fremont + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 15.0% | Fremont + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.3% | 10.5% | Fremont + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fremont
59.6°F
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fremont
16.7 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.6°F | 55.7°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fremont
7.9 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fremont
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fremont
33.9 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.9 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fremont leads in median household income at $176,350, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Fremont is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Fremont has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fremont scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.3%.
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