Fresno 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)
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
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
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Fresno +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
Fresno
38.0%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Fresno
6.7%
Fresno +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 47,823 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 36.8 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 11.6% | Fresno + |
| White | 38.0% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 6.7% | 1.8% | Fresno + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 1.6% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Fresno +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
Fresno +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Rio Rancho +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
Fresno +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
Fresno +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $50,294 | Fresno + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $28,418 | Fresno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $53,141 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 5.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 24.2% | Fresno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 19.6% | Fresno + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $362,476 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
Fresno +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
Fresno +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 834 | Fresno + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3177 | Fresno + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
37.5%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 11.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 15.0% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | 55.7°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fresno, 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
Fresno
23.7 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fresno leads in median household income at $66,804, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Fresno is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 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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