High Point 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)
High Point, NC
North Carolina · Population: 115,263
- Median HH Income$61,228
- Median Home Price$251,699
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+33.9%
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
High Point
115,263
High Point +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
High Point
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
High Point
37.8
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
Foreign Born
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
High Point
46.1%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
High Point
32.7%
High Point +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
High Point
8.2%
High Point +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
High Point
12.3%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
High Point
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,263 | 47,823 | High Point + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 36.8 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 14.2% | 11.6% | High Point + |
| White | 46.1% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 32.7% | 1.8% | High Point + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 1.6% | High Point + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
High Point
$61,228
High Point +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
High Point
$34,492
High Point +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
High Point
$59,120
High Point +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
High Point
5.6%
High Point +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
High Point
14.7%
High Point +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
High Point
33.9%
High Point +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,228 | $50,294 | High Point + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,492 | $28,418 | High Point + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $53,141 | High Point + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 5.9% | High Point + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 24.2% | High Point + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.9% | 19.6% | High Point + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
High Point
$251,699
High Point +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
High Point
58.1%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $251,699 | $362,476 | High Point + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
398
High Point +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
1999
High Point +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | High Point, NC | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 834 | High Point + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3177 | High Point + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
37.7%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.0%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
High Point
17.2%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
High Point
11.8%
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.5%
High Point +
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
High Point
14.2%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.7% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.0% | High Point + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
60.6°F
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
46.1 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 55.7°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
High Point
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | High Point, 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
High Point
22.7 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
High Point leads in median household income at $61,228, while high Point offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,699. On public safety, High Point is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. High Point has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, 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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