Glendale AZ 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)
Glendale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 271,118
- Median HH Income$121,351
- Median Home Price$408,630
- Unemployment3.3%
- Bachelor's+47.5%
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
Glendale
271,118
Glendale +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Glendale
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Glendale
35.7
Glendale +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Glendale
9.6%
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
White
Glendale
72.7%
Glendale +
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Black
Glendale
3.4%
Glendale +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Glendale
6.6%
Glendale +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Glendale
17.5%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Glendale
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 271,118 | 47,823 | Glendale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 36.8 | Glendale + |
| Foreign Born | 9.6% | 11.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 72.7% | 62.2% | Glendale + |
| Black | 3.4% | 1.8% | Glendale + |
| Asian | 6.6% | 1.6% | Glendale + |
| Hispanic | 17.5% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Glendale
$121,351
Glendale +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Glendale
$49,825
Glendale +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Glendale
$59,120
Glendale +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Glendale
3.3%
Glendale +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Glendale
5.1%
Glendale +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Glendale
47.5%
Glendale +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $121,351 | $50,294 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,825 | $28,418 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $53,141 | Glendale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 5.9% | Glendale + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.1% | 24.2% | Glendale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.5% | 19.6% | Glendale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Glendale
$408,630
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Homeownership Rate
Glendale
73.9%
Glendale +
Rio Rancho
66.4%
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $408,630 | $362,476 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.9% | 66.4% | Glendale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
450
Glendale +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
2150
Glendale +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 834 | Glendale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 3177 | Glendale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
32.9%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
11.7%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Glendale
16.7%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Glendale
17.6%
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Glendale
15.7%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Glendale
13.2%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 11.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
N/A
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
N/A
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 12.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Glendale
7.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Glendale
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Glendale
28.0 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.0 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Glendale leads in median household income at $121,351, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Glendale is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Glendale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, 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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