Grand Prairie 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)
Grand Prairie, TX
Texas · Population: 198,564
- Median HH Income$78,889
- Median Home Price$318,759
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+29.0%
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
Grand Prairie
198,564
Grand Prairie +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Prairie
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Grand Prairie
33.5
Grand Prairie +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Grand Prairie
23.7%
Grand Prairie +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
Grand Prairie
32.9%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Grand Prairie
24.6%
Grand Prairie +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Grand Prairie
6.5%
Grand Prairie +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Grand Prairie
47.2%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Grand Prairie
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,564 | 47,823 | Grand Prairie + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 36.8 | Grand Prairie + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 11.6% | Grand Prairie + |
| White | 32.9% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 24.6% | 1.8% | Grand Prairie + |
| Asian | 6.5% | 1.6% | Grand Prairie + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Prairie
$78,889
Grand Prairie +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Grand Prairie
$34,348
Grand Prairie +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Prairie
$63,758
Grand Prairie +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Grand Prairie
5.1%
Grand Prairie +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Grand Prairie
12.0%
Grand Prairie +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Prairie
29.0%
Grand Prairie +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,889 | $50,294 | Grand Prairie + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,348 | $28,418 | Grand Prairie + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $53,141 | Grand Prairie + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.9% | Grand Prairie + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 24.2% | Grand Prairie + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 19.6% | Grand Prairie + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Prairie
$318,759
Grand Prairie +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
Grand Prairie
57.9%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,759 | $362,476 | Grand Prairie + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
442
Grand Prairie +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
2339
Grand Prairie +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 834 | Grand Prairie + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3177 | Grand Prairie + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
35.8%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.5%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Prairie
17.6%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
22.3%
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
16.4%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.9%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.3% | 11.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | 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.)
Grand Prairie
9.2 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Prairie
55.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, 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
Grand Prairie
30.5 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Prairie leads in median household income at $78,889, while grand Prairie offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $318,759. On public safety, Grand Prairie is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Grand Prairie has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
Grand Prairie, TX vs New York, NYGrand Prairie, TX vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Grand Prairie, TXGrand Prairie, TX vs Houston, TXGrand Prairie, TX vs Phoenix, AZGrand Prairie, TX vs Philadelphia, PA