Hampton VA 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)

Hampton, VA

Virginia · Population: 137,334

  • Median HH Income$67,758
  • Median Home Price$278,048
  • Unemployment6.3%
  • Bachelor's+27.5%

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
Hampton
137,334
Hampton +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hampton
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Hampton
36.5
Hampton +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Hampton
5.2%
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
White
Hampton
37.5%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Hampton
49.0%
Hampton +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Hampton
2.2%
Hampton +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Hampton
6.6%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Hampton
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Hampton
$67,758
Hampton +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Hampton
$36,787
Hampton +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hampton
$69,581
Hampton +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Hampton
6.3%
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Rio Rancho +
Poverty Rate
Hampton
13.0%
Hampton +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hampton
27.5%
Hampton +
Rio Rancho
19.6%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hampton
$278,048
Hampton +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
Hampton
55.6%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hampton
240
Hampton +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hampton
1726
Hampton +
Rio Rancho
3177

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hampton
40.1%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hampton
15.0%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hampton
18.4%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hampton
9.5%
Hampton +
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hampton
13.1%
Hampton +
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hampton
14.3%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hampton
61.9°F
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hampton
N/A
Rio Rancho
12.3 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hampton
8.2 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hampton
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hampton
24.0 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +

Which City is Right for You?

Hampton leads in median household income at $67,758, while hampton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $278,048. On public safety, Hampton is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Rio Rancho has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, 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%.

Compare More Cities

About Hampton & Rio Rancho