Hartford CT 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)
Hartford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 119,970
- Median HH Income$45,300
- Median Home Price$199,359
- Unemployment10.6%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
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
Hartford
119,970
Hartford +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hartford
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
Hartford
26.4%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Hartford
2.3%
Hartford +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Hartford
44.8%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Hartford
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,970 | 47,823 | Hartford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 36.8 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 23.0% | 11.6% | Hartford + |
| White | 26.4% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 36.1% | 1.8% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 1.6% | Hartford + |
| Hispanic | 44.8% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hartford
$45,300
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Rio Rancho +
Per Capita Income
Hartford
$27,319
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Rio Rancho +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Hartford
10.6%
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Rio Rancho +
Poverty Rate
Hartford
25.5%
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Rio Rancho +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hartford
18.3%
Rio Rancho
19.6%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,300 | $50,294 | Rio Rancho + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,319 | $28,418 | Rio Rancho + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $53,141 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.6% | 5.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.5% | 24.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 19.6% | Rio Rancho + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
Hartford
25.8%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $199,359 | $362,476 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.8% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 834 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 3177 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
40.4%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
15.8%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hartford
20.8%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hartford
20.3%
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hartford
16.3%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 11.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 15.0% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
50.6°F
Hartford +
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
45.9 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 55.7°F | Hartford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hartford
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hartford
24.4 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rio Rancho leads in median household income at $50,294, while hartford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $199,359. On public safety, Hartford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 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%.
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