Greensboro NC 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)
Greensboro, NC
North Carolina · Population: 298,564
- Median HH Income$58,884
- Median Home Price$265,214
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+39.9%
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
Greensboro
298,564
Greensboro +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Greensboro
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Greensboro
34.1
Greensboro +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Greensboro
12.7%
Greensboro +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
Greensboro
40.4%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Greensboro
42.2%
Greensboro +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Greensboro
5.0%
Greensboro +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Greensboro
10.4%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Greensboro
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 298,564 | 47,823 | Greensboro + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 36.8 | Greensboro + |
| Foreign Born | 12.7% | 11.6% | Greensboro + |
| White | 40.4% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 42.2% | 1.8% | Greensboro + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 1.6% | Greensboro + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Greensboro
$58,884
Greensboro +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Greensboro
$35,858
Greensboro +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Greensboro
$59,120
Greensboro +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Greensboro
5.1%
Greensboro +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Greensboro
18.4%
Greensboro +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Greensboro
39.9%
Greensboro +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,884 | $50,294 | Greensboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,858 | $28,418 | Greensboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $53,141 | Greensboro + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.9% | Greensboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 24.2% | Greensboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.9% | 19.6% | Greensboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Greensboro
$265,214
Greensboro +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
Greensboro
50.3%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,214 | $362,476 | Greensboro + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.3% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
398
Greensboro +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Greensboro
1999
Greensboro +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 834 | Greensboro + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3177 | Greensboro + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
39.1%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
12.2%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Greensboro
18.0%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
11.5%
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.6%
Greensboro +
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Greensboro
13.5%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.1% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 11.5% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 15.0% | Greensboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
59.1°F
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Greensboro
42.2 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.1°F | 55.7°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Greensboro
8.7 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Greensboro
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Greensboro
23.4 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Greensboro, NC | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Greensboro leads in median household income at $58,884, while greensboro offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,214. On public safety, Greensboro is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Greensboro 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%.
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