Gainesville 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)
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
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
Gainesville
143,611
Gainesville +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gainesville
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Gainesville
12.1%
Gainesville +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
Gainesville
59.2%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Gainesville
21.6%
Gainesville +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Gainesville
13.4%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Gainesville
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 47,823 | Gainesville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 36.8 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 11.6% | Gainesville + |
| White | 59.2% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 21.6% | 1.8% | Gainesville + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 1.6% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 13.4% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gainesville
$45,611
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Rio Rancho +
Per Capita Income
Gainesville
$30,282
Gainesville +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gainesville
$65,328
Gainesville +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Gainesville
4.8%
Gainesville +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Gainesville
28.0%
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Rio Rancho +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,611 | $50,294 | Rio Rancho + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,282 | $28,418 | Gainesville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $53,141 | Gainesville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 5.9% | Gainesville + |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | 24.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 19.6% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gainesville
$299,633
Gainesville +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
Gainesville
38.5%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,633 | $362,476 | Gainesville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
324
Gainesville +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 834 | Gainesville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 3177 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
31.2%
Gainesville +
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gainesville
21.3%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
13.9%
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
17.8%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
11.8%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 31.9% | Gainesville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 10.6% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 11.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
68.9°F
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
47.3 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.9°F | 55.7°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gainesville
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gainesville, 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
Gainesville
20.1 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rio Rancho leads in median household income at $50,294, while gainesville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,633. On public safety, Gainesville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Gainesville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gainesville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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