Houston 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
Houston
35.5%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 47,823 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 36.8 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 11.6% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 22.9% | 1.8% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 1.6% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Houston +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Rio Rancho +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Houston +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $50,294 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $28,418 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $53,141 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 24.2% | Houston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 19.6% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $362,476 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Houston +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Houston +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Houston, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 834 | Houston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3177 | Houston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 11.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Houston, 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
Houston
29.6 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Houston leads in median household income at $62,894, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Houston is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 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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