Garland TX 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)
Garland, TX
Texas · Population: 245,298
- Median HH Income$74,717
- Median Home Price$289,605
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
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
Garland
245,298
Garland +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garland
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Garland
34.7
Garland +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
Garland
37.5%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Garland
15.3%
Garland +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Garland
45.0%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Garland
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 47,823 | Garland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 36.8 | Garland + |
| Foreign Born | 31.2% | 11.6% | Garland + |
| White | 37.5% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 15.3% | 1.8% | Garland + |
| Asian | 11.2% | 1.6% | Garland + |
| Hispanic | 45.0% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garland
$74,717
Garland +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Garland
$31,477
Garland +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garland
$63,758
Garland +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Garland
4.9%
Garland +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Garland
12.3%
Garland +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Garland
25.0%
Garland +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Garland, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,717 | $50,294 | Garland + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,477 | $28,418 | Garland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $53,141 | Garland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.9% | Garland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 24.2% | Garland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 19.6% | Garland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garland
$289,605
Garland +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
Garland
61.6%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,605 | $362,476 | Garland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
442
Garland +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
2339
Garland +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Garland, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 834 | Garland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3177 | Garland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
34.7%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.0%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garland
17.3%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garland
22.6%
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garland
16.1%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.1%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.6% | 11.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
69.1°F
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
49.5 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 69.1°F | 55.7°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.5 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garland
55.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rio Rancho + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garland
32.5 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Garland leads in median household income at $74,717, while garland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $289,605. On public safety, Garland is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Garland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, 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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