Grand Island NE 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)
Grand Island, NE
Nebraska · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$254,245
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Grand Island
N/A
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Island
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Grand Island
N/A
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Grand Island
N/A
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
Grand Island
N/A
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Black
Grand Island
N/A
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Grand Island
N/A
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Grand Island
N/A
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Spanish at Home
Grand Island
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 47,823 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 36.8 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 11.6% | - |
| White | N/A | 62.2% | - |
| Black | N/A | 1.8% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 1.6% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 61.1% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Island
N/A
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Grand Island
N/A
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Island
$66,354
Grand Island +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Island
N/A
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $50,294 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $28,418 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $53,141 | Grand Island + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.9% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 24.2% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 19.6% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Island
$254,245
Grand Island +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Rio Rancho
66.4%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $254,245 | $362,476 | Grand Island + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 66.4% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Island
294
Grand Island +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Island
1960
Grand Island +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 834 | Grand Island + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 3177 | Grand Island + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
41.5%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
11.6%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Island
14.4%
Grand Island +
Rio Rancho
15.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
17.5%
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
19.1%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
14.8%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.5% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.4% | 15.4% | Grand Island + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 11.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Island
50.8°F
Grand Island +
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Island
26.7 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8°F | 55.7°F | Grand Island + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Island
7.6 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Island
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Island
N/A
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 19.1 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Island offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $254,245. On public safety, Grand Island is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. 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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